PART 1GENERAL

Title, commencement and application1

1

The title of these Regulations is the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) Regulations 2009.

2

These Regulations come into force on 5 November 2009 and apply in relation to Wales.

Interpretation2

1

In these Regulations, except where the context otherwise requires—

  • “the 1962 Act” (“Deddf 1962”) means the Education Act 19623;

  • “the 1998 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 1998”) means the Education (Student Support) Regulations 19984;

  • “the 1999 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 1999”) means the Education (Student Support) Regulations 19995;

  • “the 2000 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2000”) means the Education (Student Support) Regulations 20006;

  • “the 2001 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2001”) means the Education (Student Support) Regulations 20017;

  • “the 2002 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2002”) means the Education (Student Support) Regulations 20028;

  • “the 2003 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2003”) means the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 20029 as amended by the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 200310 and the Education (Student Fees and Support) (Switzerland) Regulations 200311;

  • “the 2004 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2004”) means the 2003 Regulations as amended by the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 200412, the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 200413, the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 200414, the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 200415, the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 200516, the Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 200517 and the Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 200518;

  • “the 2005 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2005”) means the Education (Student Support) Regulations 200519);

  • “the 2006 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2006”) means the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) Regulations 200620) as amended by the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 200621);

  • “the 2007 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2007”) means the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) Regulations 200722) as amended by the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 200723), the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales)(Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 200724) and the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 200725);

  • “the 2008 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2008”) means the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) Regulations 200826 as amended by the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 200827 and the 2008 (No. 2) Regulations;

  • “the 2008 (No. 2) Regulations” (“Rheoliadau (Rhif 2) 2008”) means the Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) (No. 2) Regulations 200828;

  • “2010 cohort student” (“myfyriwr carfan 2010”) means an eligible student who begins the present course on or after 1 September 2010, other than—

    1. a

      a 2010 gap year student;

    2. b

      an eligible student who started the present course on or after 1 September 2010 where that course is an end-on course following on from a course that—

      1. i

        he or she started before 1 September 2010; or

      2. ii

        he or she started before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which he or she is a 2010 gap year student; or

    3. c

      an eligible student who started the present course on or after 1 September 2010 having had his or her status as an eligible student transferred to that course as a result of one or more transfers of that status by the Welsh Ministers pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the Act from a designated course which he or she began—

      1. i

        before 1 September 2010; or

      2. ii

        before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which he or she is a 2010 gap year student;

  • “2010 gap year student” (“myfyriwr blwyddyn i ffwrdd 2010 ”) has the meaning given in paragraph (13);

  • “academic authority” (“awdurdod academaidd”) means, in relation to an institution, the governing body or other body having the functions of a governing body and includes a person acting with the authority of that body;

  • “academic year” (“blwyddyn academaidd”) means the period of twelve months beginning on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 September of the calendar year in which the academic year of the course in question begins according to whether that academic year begins on or after 1 January and before 1 April, on or after 1 April and before 1 July, on or after 1 July and before 1 August or on or after 1 August and on or before 31 December, respectively;

  • “accelerated course” (“cwrs carlam”) means a course which persons undertaking it are normally required by the institution providing it to attend (whether at premises of the institution or elsewhere) for a period of at least 40 weeks in the final year, being a course of two academic years' duration;

  • the Act” (“y Ddeddf”) means the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998;

  • “borrower” (“benthyciwr”) means a person to whom a loan has been made;

  • “bursary year” (“blwyddyn bwrsari”) means an academic year of a course—

    1. a

      in relation to which the student is eligible to receive any payment under a healthcare bursary the amount of which is calculated by reference to his or her income; or

    2. b

      in relation to which the student is eligible to receive a Scottish healthcare allowance the amount of which is calculated by reference to his or her income;

  • “college fee loan” (“benthyciad at ffioedd coleg”) means a loan for college fees payable to a qualifying student pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

  • “compressed degree course” (“cwrs gradd cywasgedig”) means a course determined in accordance with paragraph (2) to be a compressed degree course;

  • “compressed degree student” (“myfyriwr cwrs gradd cywasgedig”) means an eligible student who—

    1. a

      is undertaking a compressed degree course in the United Kingdom ( the “course”);

    2. b

      either—

      1. i

        began the course on or after 1 September 2006 and is continuing on that course after 31 August 2010; or

      2. ii

        begins the course on or after 1 September 2010; and

    3. c

      either—

      1. i

        is required to be in attendance on the course for part of the academic year for which he or she is applying for support; or

      2. ii

        is a disabled student who is not required to be in attendance on the course because he or she is unable to attend because of a reason which relates to his or her disability;

  • “contribution” (“cyfraniad”) means in relation to—

    1. a

      an eligible student, the student’s contribution calculated pursuant to regulation 59 and Schedule 5;

    2. b

      an eligible part-time student, the student’s contribution calculated pursuant to regulation 97 and Schedule 6;

  • “course for the initial training of teachers” (“cwrs ar gyfer hyfforddiant cychwynnol athrawon”) includes such a course leading to a first degree unless otherwise indicated but excludes an employment-based teacher training scheme;

  • “designated course” (“cwrs dynodedig”) means a course designated by regulation 5 or by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 5;

  • “designated distance learning course” (“cwrs dysgu o bell dynodedig”) means a course designated by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 70;

  • “designated part-time course” (“cwrs rhan-amser dynodedig”) means a course designated by regulation 86 or by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 86;

  • “designated postgraduate course” (“cwrs ôl-radd dynodedig”) means a course designated by regulation 110 or by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 110;

  • Directive 2004/38” (“Cyfarwyddeb 2004/38”) means Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 200429 on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely in the territory of the Member States;

  • EC national” (“gwladolyn o'r GE”) means a national of a Member State of the European Community;

  • “electronic signature” (“llofnod electronig”) is so much of anything in electronic form as—

    1. a

      is incorporated into or otherwise logically associated with any electronic communication or electronic data; and

    2. b

      purports to be so incorporated or associated for the purpose of being used in establishing the authenticity of the communication or data, the integrity of the communication or data, or both;

  • “eligible distance learning student” (“myfyriwr dysgu o bell cymwys”) has the meaning given in regulation 68;

  • “eligible part-time student” (“myfyriwr rhan-amser cymwys”) has the meaning given in regulation 85;

  • “eligible postgraduate student” (“myfyriwr ôl-raddedig cymwys”) has the meaning given in regulation 109;

  • “eligible student” (“myfyriwr cymwys”) has the meaning given in regulation 4;

  • “employment-based teacher training scheme” (“cynllun hyfforddi athrawon ar sail cyflogaeth”) means—

    1. a

      a scheme established by the Welsh Ministers for the purpose of regulation 8 of the Education (School Teachers' Qualifications) (Wales) Regulations 200430 whereby a person may undertake initial teacher training in order to obtain qualified teacher status while being employed to teach at a maintained school, an independent school or other institution except a pupil referral unit; or

    2. b

      a scheme established by the Secretary of State whereby a person may undertake initial teacher training in order to obtain qualified teacher training status while being employed to teach at a school, city college, Academy, independent school or other institution except a pupil referral unit;

  • “end-on course” (“cwrs penben”) means—

    1. a

      a full-time first degree course (other than a first degree course for the initial training of teachers) which, disregarding any intervening vacation, a student begins to attend immediately after ceasing to attend a full-time course mentioned in paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 2 for which the student received or was entitled to receive a transitional award, a loan under the 1998 Regulations or support under the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 or 2008 (No. 2) Regulations;

    2. b

      a full-time honours degree course beginning on or after 1 September 2006 which, disregarding any intervening vacation, a student starts to attend immediately after ceasing to attend a full-time foundation degree course for which the student received or was entitled to receive a transitional award, a loan under the 1998 Regulations or support under the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 or 2008 (No. 2) Regulations;

    3. c

      a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2006 the duration of which does not exceed two years (the duration of a part-time course being expressed as its full-time equivalent) which, disregarding any intervening vacation, a student begins to attend immediately after ceasing to attend a first degree course for which the student received or was entitled to receive a transitional award, a loan under the 1998 Regulations or support under the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 or 2005 Regulations;

  • “Erasmus year” (“blwyddyn Erasmus”) means an academic year of a course during which a student is participating in the action scheme of the European Community for the mobility of university students known as ERASMUS31 and where the student’s course is a course referred to in regulation 5(1)(e) and all the periods of study during the academic year are at an institution outside the United Kingdom;

  • European Community” (“Y Gymuned Ewropeaidd”) means the territory comprised by the Member States of the European Community as constituted from time to time;

  • “fees” (“ffioedd”) has the meaning given in section 28(1) of the Act except in references to college fees;

  • “fee support” (“cymorth at ffioedd”) means grants in relation to fees pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act and includes grants in relation to fees under Part 4;

  • “flexible postgraduate ITT course” (“cwrs HCA hyblyg i ôl-raddedigion”) means a postgraduate course of initial teacher training, the length and pattern of which is determined by reference to the eligible student’s experience and training requirements and which has been approved by the Training and Development Agency for Schools 32 or the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales33 where the course—

    1. a

      began before 1 September 2010;

    2. b

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers which began before 1 September 2010; or

    3. c

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student;

  • “former Metropolitan Police District” (“cyn Ardal yr Heddlu Metropolitanaidd”) means—

    1. a

      Greater London, excluding the city of London, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple;

    2. b

      in the county of Essex, in the district of Epping Forest—

      • the area of the former urban district of Chigwell,

      • the parish of Waltham Abbey;

    3. c

      in the county of Hertfordshire—

      • in the borough of Broxbourne, the area of the former urban district of Cheshunt,

      • the district of Hertsmere,

      • in the district of Welwyn Hatfield, the parish of Northaw; and

    4. d

      in the county of Surrey—

      • in the borough of Elmbridge, the area of the former urban district of Esher,

      • the boroughs of Epsom and Ewell and Spelthorne,

      • in the district of Reigate and Banstead, the area of the former urban district of Banstead;

  • “gap year student” (“myfyriwr sy'n cymryd blwyddyn i ffwrdd”) has the meaning given in paragraph (3);

  • “grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs” (“grant at gostau byw myfyrwyr dysgu o bell anabl”) means the grant payable under regulation 75;

  • “grant for disabled part-time students' living costs” (“grant at gostau byw myfyrwyr rhan-amser anabl”) means the grant payable under regulation 89;

  • “grant for disabled students' living costs” (“grant at gostau byw myfyrwyr anabl”) means the grant payable under regulation 25;

  • “grant for living costs” (“grant at gostau byw”) (without more) means a grant under any of the provisions of Part 5 of these Regulations;

  • “healthcare bursary” (“bwrsari gofal iechyd”) means a bursary or award of similar description under section 63 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 196834 or Article 44 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 197235;

  • “higher education course” (“cwrs addysg uwch”) means a course referred to in Schedule 2 or a postgraduate or other course the standard of which is higher than the standard of a first degree course;

  • “household income” (“incwm yr aelwyd”, “incwm aelwyd”, “incwm sydd gan yr aelwyd”) in relation to—

    1. a

      an eligible student, has the meaning given in Schedule 5;

    2. b

      an eligible part-time student, has the meaning given in Schedule 6;

  • “information” (“gwybodaeth”) includes documents;

  • Institute” (“yr Athrofa”) means the University of London Institute in Paris36;

  • “intensive course” (“cwrs dwys”) means an accelerated course or a compressed degree course;

  • Islands” (“Ynysoedd”) means the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man;

  • “loan” (“benthyciad”), except where otherwise indicated, means a loan pursuant to any regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act, including the interest accrued on the loan and any penalties or charges incurred in connection with it;

  • “loan for living costs” (“benthyciad at gostau byw”) means a loan for living costs pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

  • “maintained school” (“ysgol a gynhelir”) means a community, foundation or voluntary school, a community or foundation special school or a maintained nursery school;

  • “new fee grant” (“grant newydd at ffioedd”) means a grant made by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 19;

  • “new system eligible student” (“myfyriwr cymwys o dan y drefn newydd”) means an eligible student who—

    1. a

      is not an old system eligible student; and

    2. b

      either—

      1. i

        started the present course on or after 1 September 2006 and is continuing on that course after 31 August 2010; or

      2. ii

        starts the present course on or after 1 September 2010;

  • “old award” (“hen ddyfarniad”) is an award within the meaning of the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 200337;

  • “old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers” (“hen gwrs ôl-radd hyblyg ar gyfer hyfforddiant cychwynnol i athrawon”) means a flexible postgraduate ITT course which a student started to attend, before 1 September 2008;

  • “old system eligible student” (“myfyriwr cymwys o dan yr hen drefn”) means an eligible student who—

    1. a

      started the present course before 1 September 2006 and who is continuing on that course after 31 August 2010;

    2. b

      is a gap-year student in relation to the present course;

    3. c

      started the present course on or after 1 September 2006 where that course is an end-on course (other than one of the kind referred to in paragraph (c) of the definition of “end-on course” in this regulation) following on from a course that—

      1. i

        he or she started before 1 September 2006; or

      2. ii

        he or she started before 1 September 2007 and in relation to which he or she was a gap-year student; or

    4. d

      started the present course on or after 1 September 2006 having had his or her status as an eligible student transferred to that course as a result of one or more transfers of that status by the Welsh Ministers pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the Act from a designated course which he or she began—

      1. i

        before 1 September 2006; or

      2. ii

        before 1 September 2007 and in relation to which he or she was a gap year student;

  • “ordinary duration” (“cyfnod arferol”) means, in relation to a designated course, the number of academic years that a standard student would take to complete the designated course excluding any academic years of the course that are bursary years or Erasmus years;

  • “part-time adult dependants' grant” (“grant rhan-amser ar gyfer dibynyddion mewn oed”) means the grant payable under regulation 92;

  • “part-time childcare grant” (“grant rhan-amser ar gyfer gofal plant”) means the grant payable under regulation 93;

  • “part-time grants for dependants” (“grantiau rhan-amser ar gyfer dibynyddion”) means the grants and allowance listed in regulation 91(1);

  • “part-time parents' learning allowance” (“lwfans dysgu rhan-amser ar gyfer rhieni”) means the allowance payable under regulation 94;

  • “periods of work experience” (“cyfnodau o brofiad gwaith”) means—

    1. a

      periods of industrial, professional or commercial experience associated with full-time study at an institution but at a place outside that institution;

    2. b

      periods during which a student is employed and residing in a country whose language is one that he or she is studying for his or her course (provided that the period of residence in that country is a requirement of his or her course and the study of one or more modern languages accounts for not less than one half of the total time spent studying on the course);

  • “person with leave to enter or remain” (“person sydd a chaniatâd i ddod i mewn neu i aros”) means a person—

    1. a

      who has been informed by a person acting under the authority of the Secretary of State for the Home Department that, although he or she is considered not to qualify for recognition as a refugee, it is thought right to allow him or her to enter or remain in the United Kingdom;

    2. b

      who has been granted leave to enter or to remain accordingly;

    3. c

      whose period of leave to enter or remain has not expired or has been renewed and the period for which it was renewed has not expired or in respect of whose leave to enter or remain an appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 200238; and

    4. d

      who has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the period since he or she was granted leave to enter or remain;

  • “preliminary course” (“cwrs rhagarweiniol”) means a course mentioned in paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 2 that is taken before a full-time degree course (other than a first degree course for the initial training of teachers) or a foundation degree course that is taken before a full-time honours degree course, as the case may be;

  • “present course” (“cwrs presennol”) means the designated course in respect of which a person is applying for support;

  • “present distance learning course” (“cwrs dysgu o bell presennol”) means the designated distance learning course in respect of which a person is applying for support;

  • “present part-time course” (“cwrs rhan-amser presennol”) means the designated part-time course in respect of which a person is applying for support;

  • “present postgraduate course” (“cwrs ôl-radd presennol”) means the designated postgraduate course in respect of which a person is applying for support;

  • “private institution” (“sefydliad preifat”) means an institution which is not publicly funded;

  • “public funds” (“cronfeydd cyhoeddus”) means moneys provided by Parliament including funds provided by the Welsh Ministers;

  • “publicly-funded” (“a ariennir yn gyhoeddus”, “a ariannwyd yn gyhoeddus”) means maintained or assisted by recurrent grants out of public funds, and related expressions are to be interpreted accordingly;

  • “qualified teacher” (“athro cymwysedig neu athrawes gymwysedig”, “athro cymwysedig neu'n athrawes gymwysedig”) has the meaning given in section 132(1) of the Education Act 200239;

  • “qualifying course” (“cwrs cymhwysol”) means a full-time designated course which is provided by the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge and—

    1. a

      leads to qualification as a social worker, medical doctor, dentist, veterinary surgeon or architect;

    2. b

      where it began before 1 September 2009, leads to qualification as a landscape architect, landscape designer, landscape manager, town planner or town and country planner; or

    3. c

      consists of at least one academic year which is a bursary year;

  • “qualifying student” (“myfyriwr cymhwysol”) means a person who satisfies the criteria in paragraph 2 of Schedule 4;

  • “quarter” (“chwarter”) in relation to an academic year means a period in that year—

    1. a

      beginning on 1 January and ending on 31 March;

    2. b

      beginning on 1 April and ending on 30 June;

    3. c

      beginning on 1 July and ending on 31 August; or

    4. d

      beginning on 1 September and ending on 31 December;

  • “refugee” (“ffoadur”) means a person who is recognised by Her Majesty’s government as a refugee within the meaning of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28 July 195140 as extended by the Protocol thereto which entered into force on 4 October 196741;

  • “Research Council” (“Cyngor Ymchwil”) means any of the following research councils—

    1. a

      Arts and Humanities Research Council,

    2. b

      Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council,

    3. c

      Economic and Social Research Council,

    4. d

      Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council,

    5. e

      Medical Research Council,

    6. f

      Natural Environment Research Council,

    7. g

      Science and Technology Facilities Council;

  • “right of permanent residence” (“hawl i breswylio'n barhaol”) means a right arising under Directive 2004/38 to reside in the United Kingdom permanently without restriction;

  • “sandwich course” (“cwrs rhyngosod”) has the meaning given in paragraph (7);

  • “Scottish healthcare allowance” (“lwfans gofal iechyd yr Alban”) means any allowance under sections 73(f) and 74(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 198042 granted in respect of a person attending a course leading to a qualification in a healthcare profession other than as a medical doctor or dentist;

  • “specified designated course” (“cwrs dynodedig a bennir”) has the meaning given in paragraph (8);

  • “standard academic year” (“blwyddyn academaidd safonol”), unless otherwise indicated, means an academic year of a designated course (other than an academic year that is a bursary year or an Erasmus year) that would be taken (in whole or in part) by a person who does not repeat any part of the course after 1 September 2006 and who enters the course at the same point as the eligible student;

  • “standard student” (“myfyriwr safonol”) is a student who is to be taken—

    1. a

      to have begun the designated course on the same date as the eligible student in question;

    2. b

      not to be excused any part of the course;

    3. c

      not to repeat any part of the course; and

    4. d

      not to be absent from the course other than during vacations;

  • “statutory award” (“dyfarniad statudol”) means any award bestowed, grant paid or other support provided by virtue of the Act or the 1962 Act, or any comparable award, grant or other support in respect of undertaking a course which is paid out of public funds;

  • “student loans legislation” (“y ddeddfwriaeth ar fenthyciadau i fyfyrwyr”) means the Education (Student Loans) Act 199043, the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 199044, the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and regulations made under those Acts or that Order, the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 199845 and regulations made under that Order or the Act and regulations made under the Act;

  • “support” (“cymorth”) means financial support by way of grant or loan made by the Welsh Ministers pursuant to regulations made by them under section 22 of the Act;

  • “transitional award” (“dyfarniad trosiannol”) means an award made under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 199846 other than an old award;

  • “Turkish worker” (“gweithiwr Twrcaidd”) means a Turkish national who—

    1. a

      is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands; and

    2. b

      is, or has been, lawfully employed in the United Kingdom;

  • “type 1 teacher training student” (“myfyriwr math 1 ar gwrs hyfforddi athrawon”) means a new system eligible student on a course for the initial training of teachers (other than a course for a first degree) whose periods of full-time attendance (including attendance for the purpose of teaching practice) in the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support are in aggregate at least 6 weeks but less than 10 weeks where the course—

    1. a

      began before 1 September 2010;

    2. b

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers which began before 1 September 2010; or

    3. c

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student;

  • “type 2 teacher training student” (“myfyriwr math 2 ar gwrs hyfforddi athrawon”) means a new system eligible student on a course for the initial training of teachers (other than a course for a first degree) whose periods of full-time attendance (including attendance for the purpose of teaching practice) in the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support are in aggregate 10 weeks or more where the course—

    1. a

      began before 1 September 2010;

    2. b

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers which began before 1 September 2010; or

    3. c

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student;

  • “type 3 teacher training student” (“myfyriwr math 3 ar gwrs hyfforddi athrawon”) means a new system eligible student on a course for a first degree for the initial training of teachers whose periods of full-time attendance (including attendance for the purpose of teaching practice) in the academic year in respect of which the student is applying for support are in aggregate at least 6 weeks but less than 10 weeks where the course—

    1. a

      began before 1 September 2010;

    2. b

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers which began before 1 September 2010; or

    3. c

      begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student.

2

The Secretary of State may determine that a course is a compressed degree course if, in his or her opinion, that course is—

a

a course for a first degree (other than a foundation degree);

b

a full-time course designated under regulation 5(1); and

c

of two academic years' duration.

3

In these Regulations a person is a “gap-year student” (“myfyriwr sy'n cymryd blwyddyn i ffwrdd”) in relation to a course provided by or on behalf of an institution that was publicly funded as at 1 August 2005 if he or she meets the conditions in paragraphs (4) or (6).

4

The conditions are—

a

the person had on or before 1 August 2005 received an offer, whether conditional on obtaining specified qualifications or not, of a place on the present course or a similar course; and

b

the first academic year of the present course started on or after 1 September 2006 but before 1 September 2007.

5

In paragraph (4), a course (“the original course”) is similar to the present course if—

a

it appears to the governing body of the institution providing the present course that the subject-matter of the course is in whole or in part the same as the subject-matter of the original course; and

b

except where the original course is no longer being provided, the present course is provided by the institution which was to have provided the original course.

6

The conditions are—

a

the person had received an offer of a place on a designated course (whether or not at the same institution as the present course) the first academic year of which began before 1 September 2006;

b

he or she was unable to take up the offer because a specified qualification or grade was not awarded to him or her;

c

he or she appealed against the decision not to award him or her the qualification or grade;

d

the appeal was allowed after the last date on which he or she could have taken up the offer;

e

as a result, he or she was offered a place on the present course; and

f

the first academic year of the present course began on or after 1 September 2006 but before 1 September 2007.

7

In these Regulations—

a

a course is a “sandwich course” (“cwrs rhyngosod”) if—

i

it is not a course for the initial training of teachers;

ii

it consists of alternate periods of full-time study in an institution and periods of work experience; and

iii

taking the course as a whole, the student attends the periods of full-time study for an average of not less than 18 weeks in each year;

b

in calculating the student’s attendance for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a), the course is to be treated as beginning with the first period of full-time study and ending with the last such period; and

c

for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a), where periods of full-time study and work experience alternate within any week of the course, the days of full-time study are aggregated with each other and with any weeks of full-time study in determining the number of weeks of full-time study in each year.

8

In these Regulations, the “specified designated course” (“cwrs dynodedig a bennir”) means the present course subject to paragraphs (9) and (10).

9

Where the student’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course as a result of one or more transfers of that status by the Welsh Ministers from a course (the “initial course”) in connection with which the Welsh Ministers determined the student to be an eligible student pursuant to regulations made by them under section 22 of the Act, the specified designated course is the initial course.

10

Where the present course is an end-on course, the specified designated course is the course in relation to which the present course is an end-on course (the “preceding course”). Where the preceding course is itself an end-on course, the specified designated course is the course in relation to which the preceding course is an end-on course.

11

In these Regulations, the expression “student who qualifies for a new fee grant” (“myfyriwr sydd â hawl i gael grant newydd at ffioedd”), in relation to a qualifying designated course, and any reference to a student who does not qualify for a new fee grant are to be construed in accordance with regulation 19.

12

In these Regulations, the expression “qualifying designated course” (“cwrs dynodedig cymhwysol”), in relation to a student who qualifies for a new fee grant, has the meaning given to it by regulation 19.

13

In these Regulations, a person is a “2010 gap year student” (“myfyriwr blwyddyn i ffwrdd 2010”) in relation to a course provided by or on behalf of an institution that was publicly funded as at 1 August 2009 if he or she meets the conditions in paragraphs (14) or (16).

14

The conditions are—

a

the person had on or before 1 August 2009 received an offer, whether conditional or not, of a place on the present course or a similar course; and

b

the first academic year of the present course started on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011.

15

In paragraph (14), a course (“the original course”) is similar to the present course if—

a

it appears to the academic authority of the institution providing the present course that the subject-matter of the course is in whole or in part the same as the subject-matter of the original course; and

b

except where the original course is no longer being provided, the present course is provided by the institution which was to have provided the original course.

16

The conditions are—

a

the person had received an offer of a place on a designated course (whether or not at the same institution as the present course) the first academic year of which began before 1 September 2010;

b

he or she was unable to take up the offer because a specified qualification or grade was not awarded to him or her;

c

he or she appealed against the decision not to award him or her the qualification or grade;

d

the appeal was allowed after the last date on which he or she could have taken up the offer;

e

as a result, he or she was offered a place on the present course; and

f

the first academic year of the present course began on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011.

Revocation, savings and transitional provisions3

1

Subject to paragraph (8), the 2008 (No. 2) Regulations are revoked in relation to Wales on 1 September 2010.

2

The 2003 Regulations continue to apply to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2003 but before 1 September 2004.

3

The 2004 Regulations continue to apply to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2004 but before 1 September 2005.

4

The 2005 Regulations continue to apply to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2005 but before 1 September 2006.

5

The 2006 Regulations continue to apply to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2006 but before 1 September 2007.

6

The 2007 Regulations continue to apply to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2007 but before 1 September 2008.

7

The 2008 Regulations continue to apply to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2008 but before 1 September 2009.

8

The 2008 (No. 2) Regulations continue to apply to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2009 but before 1 September 2010.

9

For the purposes of paragraphs (2) to (4), any reference to the Secretary of State in relation to any function conferred on the Secretary of State by the Regulations referred to in those paragraphs, is to be read in relation to Wales as a reference to—

a

the Welsh Ministers, in the case of a function referred to in section 44(1) of the Higher Education Act 200447; or

b

the Welsh Ministers or the Secretary of State, in the case of a function referred to in section 44(2) of the Higher Education Act 2004.

10

These Regulations apply in relation to the provision of support to students in respect of an academic year which begins on or after 1 September 2010 whether anything done under these Regulations is done before, on or after 1 September 2010.

11

Despite any other provision in these Regulations where a person—

a

attends a course in respect of which a transitional award was bestowed on him or her; or

b

had no award under the 1962 Act bestowed on him or her in respect of the course but a transitional award would have been bestowed on him or her if the person had applied for an award under the 1962 Act and his or her resources had not exceeded his or her requirements,

he or she is an old system eligible student for the purposes of Parts 4 and 5 in connection with the course, or in connection with any subsequent course to which the award (either bestowed or which would have been bestowed under the 1962 Act) would have been transferred if transitional awards provided for payments after the first year of a course, but unless paragraph (12) applies he or she qualifies for support by way of loan for living costs under Part 6 only if he or she is an eligible student under these Regulations and if he or she satisfies the qualifying conditions for support under that Part.

12

Despite any other provision in these Regulations, where any person received or was eligible to receive a loan in relation to an academic year of a course under the 1998 Regulations he or she is an old system eligible student for the purposes of Part 6 in connection with the course, or any subsequent designated course which (disregarding any intervening vacation) he or she starts immediately after ceasing that course, but unless paragraph (11) applies he or she qualifies for fee support under Part 4 and support by way of grant for living costs under Part 5 if he or she is an eligible student under these Regulations and if he or she satisfies the relevant qualifying conditions for support under Parts 4 and 5.

PART 2ELIGIBILITY

Eligible students4

1

An eligible student qualifies for support in connection with a designated course subject to and in accordance with these Regulations.

2

A person is an eligible student in connection with a designated course if—

a

in assessing his or her application for support the Welsh Ministers determine that the person falls within one of the categories set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1; and

b

the person is not excluded by paragraph (3).

3

A person is not an eligible student if—

a

an old award has been bestowed on that person in respect of the person’s attendance on the course;

b

the person is eligible for a loan in relation to an academic year of the course under the Education (Student Loans) Act 1990 or the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990;

c

there has been bestowed on, or paid to, the person in relation to the person’s attendance on the course—

i

a healthcare bursary the amount of which is not calculated by reference to the person’s income; or

ii

any allowance under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 200748;

d

the person is in breach of any obligation to repay any loan;

e

the person has reached the age of 18 and has not ratified any agreement for a loan made with him or her when he or she was under the age of 18; or

f

the person has, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support.

4

For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(d) and (3)(e), “loan” (“benthyciad”) means a loan made under the student loans legislation.

5

In a case where the agreement for a loan is subject to the law of Scotland, paragraph (3)(e) only applies if the agreement was made—

a

before 25 September 1991, and

b

with the concurrence of the borrower’s curator or at a time when he or she had no curator.

6

An eligible student in respect of whom the first academic year of the course begins on or after 1 September 2000 does not, at any one time, qualify for support for—

a

more than one designated course;

b

a designated course and a designated part-time course;

c

a designated course and a designated postgraduate course;

d

a designated course and a designated distance learning course.

7

Subject to paragraphs (11) to (13), if a person satisfies the conditions in paragraph (8), (9) or (10)—

a

paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to him or her; and

b

he or she is an eligible student for the purposes of these Regulations.

8

The conditions are—

a

the person qualified as an eligible student in connection with an earlier academic year of the present course pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the present course; and

c

the person’s status has not terminated.

9

The conditions are—

a

the present course is an end-on course (other than one of the kind referred to in paragraph (c) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2) which the person is starting on or after 1 September 2006;

b

the person qualified as an eligible student in connection with the course in relation to which the present course is an end-on course;

c

the period of eligibility in respect of the course in sub-paragraph (b) only ceased on the grounds that the student had completed the course; and

d

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the course in sub-paragraph (b).

10

The conditions are—

a

the Welsh Ministers have previously determined that the person is—

i

an eligible part-time student in connection with a designated part-time course;

ii

an eligible student in connection with a designated course other than the present course; or

iii

an eligible distance learning student in connection with a designated distance learning course;

b

the person’s status as an eligible part-time student, an eligible distance learning student or as an eligible student in connection with the course in sub-paragraph (a) has been converted or transferred from that course to the present course as a result of one or more conversions or transfers in accordance with regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

c

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the course referred to in sub-paragraph (a); and

d

the person’s status as an eligible student has not terminated.

11

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers have determined that, by virtue of being a refugee or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a refugee, a person (“A”) was—

i

an eligible student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present course, an application for support for a course in relation to which the present course is an end-on course or an application for support in connection with a designated part-time course, a designated distance learning course or other designated course from which his or her status as an eligible part-time student, an eligible distance learning student or an eligible student has been transferred to the present course; or

ii

a qualifying student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the qualifying course or other qualifying course from which his or her status as a qualifying student has been transferred to the qualifying course in respect of which the student is applying for support; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support starts, the refugee status of A or of his or her spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent, as the case may be, has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002)49,

A’s status as an eligible or qualifying student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

12

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers have determined that, by virtue of being a person with leave to enter or remain or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was—

i

an eligible student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present course, an application for support for a course in relation to which the present course is an end-on course or an application for support in connection with a designated part-time course, designated distance learning course or other designated course from which his or her status as an eligible part-time student, eligible distance learning student or eligible student has been transferred to the present course; or

ii

a qualifying student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the qualifying course or other qualifying course from which his or her status as a qualifying student has been transferred to the qualifying course in respect of which the student is applying for support; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support starts, the period for which the person with leave to enter or remain is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

A’s status as an eligible or qualifying student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

13

Paragraphs (11) and (12) do not apply where the student began the course in connection with which the Welsh Ministers determined that he or she was an eligible part-time student, an eligible student or a qualifying student, as the case may be, before 1 September 2007.

Designated courses5

1

Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), a course is a designated course for the purposes of section 22(1) of the Act and regulation 4 if it is—

a

mentioned in Schedule 2;

b

one of the following—

i

a full-time course;

ii

a sandwich course; or

iii

a course for the initial training of teachers;

c

not a designated distance learning course;

d

of at least—

i

one academic year’s duration; or

ii

six weeks' duration in the case of a flexible postgraduate ITT course; and

e

wholly provided by a publicly-funded educational institution or institutions in the United Kingdom or provided by such an institution or institutions in conjunction with an institution or institutions outside the United Kingdom.

2

A course falling within paragraph 7 or 8 of Schedule 2 is not a designated course where the governing body of a maintained school has arranged for the provision of such a course to a pupil of the school.

3

A course that is taken as part of an employment-based teacher training scheme is not a designated course.

4

Paragraph 1(c) does not apply where the person applying for support in connection with the course is—

a

a disabled student; and

b

undertaking that course in the United Kingdom but not in attendance because he or she is unable to attend for a reason which relates to his or her disability.

5

For the purposes of paragraph (1)—

a

a course is provided by an institution if it provides the teaching and supervision which comprise the course, whether or not the institution has entered into an agreement with the student to provide the course;

b

a university and any constituent college or institution in the nature of a college of a university is regarded as publicly funded if either the university or the constituent college or institution is publicly funded; and

c

an institution is not regarded as publicly funded by reason only that it receives public funds from the governing body of a higher education institution in accordance with section 65(3A) of the Further and Higher Education Act 199250.

6

A course to which this paragraph applies is considered to be a single course for a first degree or for an equivalent qualification even if—

a

the course leads to another degree or qualification being conferred before the degree or equivalent qualification; and

b

part of the course is optional.

7

Paragraph (6) applies to a course the standard of which is not higher than a first degree which leads to a qualification as a medical doctor, dentist, veterinary surgeon, architect, landscape architect, landscape designer, landscape manager, town planner or town and country planner.

8

For the purposes of section 22 of the Act and regulation 4(1) the Welsh Ministers may designate courses of higher education which are not designated under paragraph (1).

Period of eligibility6

1

An eligible student retains his or her status as an eligible student in connection with a designated course until the status terminates in accordance with this regulation or regulation 4.

2

The period for which an eligible student retains the status is the “period of eligibility” (“cyfnod cymhwystra”).

3

Subject to the following paragraphs and regulation 4, the “period of eligibility” terminates at the end of the academic year in which the student completes the designated course.

4

The period of eligibility terminates when the eligible student—

a

withdraws from his or her designated course in circumstances where the Welsh Ministers have not transferred or converted or will not transfer or convert his or her status as an eligible student under regulation 8, 80 or regulation 104; or

b

abandons or is expelled from his or her designated course.

5

The Welsh Ministers may terminate the period of eligibility where the eligible student has shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support.

6

If the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible student has failed to comply with any requirement to provide information under these Regulations or has provided information which is inaccurate in a material particular, the Welsh Ministers may take such of the following actions as they consider appropriate in the circumstances—

a

terminate the period of eligibility;

b

determine that the student no longer qualifies for any particular support or particular amount of support;

c

treat any support paid to the student as an overpayment which may be recovered under regulations 66, 84, 108, 117 and paragraph 16 of Schedule 4.

7

Where the period of eligibility terminates before the end of the academic year in which the student completes the designated course, the Welsh Ministers may, at any time, renew the period of eligibility for such period as they determine.

8

Despite paragraph (1), a new system eligible student or gap-year student who has not attended a previous course is only eligible for a grant or loan for fees or a grant for living costs in respect of the present course for the number of academic years equal to OD+R+1.

9

Despite paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (11), a new system eligible student or gap-year student who has attended a previous course is only eligible for grants or loans for fees and grants for living costs in respect of the present course for the number of academic years equal to (OD+R+1)−PC, except that–

a

no deduction equivalent to PC applies in the case of a teacher training student; and

b

one additional year is added in the case of an eligible student who did not complete successfully the latest previous course because of compelling personal reasons.

10

Paragraph (11) applies to—

a

a new system eligible student who is on an end-on course of the kind described in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2;

b

a new system eligible student who—

i

has completed a full-time course mentioned in paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 2;

ii

is on a full-time first degree course (other than a first degree course for the initial training of teachers) that he or she did not begin immediately after the course referred to in paragraph (i); and

iii

has not taken a full-time first degree course after the course referred to in paragraph (i) and before the present course;

c

a new system eligible student who—

i

has completed a full-time foundation degree course;

ii

is on a full-time honours degree course that he or she did not begin immediately after the course referred to in paragraph (i) and before the present course; and

iii

has not taken a full-time first degree course after the course referred to in paragraph (i) and before the present course; and

d

an old system eligible student who is a student on an end-on course of the kind described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2.

11

Despite paragraph (1), an eligible student to whom this paragraph applies is only eligible for grants or loans for fees and grants for living costs in respect of the present course for the number of academic years equal to (D + X) − PrC.

12

Despite paragraph (1), a continuing student is only eligible for a grant or loan for fees or a grant for living costs in respect of the present course for the number of academic years equal to (A+R+1)−Y.

13

Despite paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (14), a transferring student is only eligible for a grant or loan for fees or a grant for living costs in respect of the present course for the number of academic years equal to (A+R+1)−Y.

14

A transferring student starting the first full academic year of a further course to which he or she transfers under regulation 8 after 1 September 2010 is only eligible for a grant or loan for fees or a grant for living costs in respect of the further course for the number of years equal to (A+R+1)−Y−Z.

15

In any case where the number of academic years for which a grant or loan for fees or a grant for living costs is available in accordance with this regulation is less than the number of academic years that make up the period ordinarily required for the completion of the present course, the academic years in which the student is eligible for a grant or loan for fees or a grant for living costs are the latest years of the present course.

16

In this regulation—

a

A is the number of academic years from 31 August 2006 that make up the period ordinarily required for the completion of the present course or, in the case of a transferring student, the previous course;

b

D is the greater of 3 and a number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course;

c

OD is the number of academic years that make up the period ordinarily required for the completion of the present course;

d

PC is the number of years of attendance by the eligible student on a previous course;

e

X is 1 where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was less than three years and 2 where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was three years;

f

R is the number of repeated academic years on the present course starting on or after 1 September 2006 that are repeats of preceding academic years that the eligible student was unable to complete successfully because of compelling personal reasons;

g

PrC is the number of academic years that the student spent on the preliminary course excluding any years of repeat study for compelling personal reasons;

h

Y is the number of years of the present course, or the previous course in the case of a transferring student, in respect of which it has been determined before 1 September 2006 under regulations made under section 22 of the Act that support was not available;

i

Z is the number of academic years spent on a previous course beginning on or after 1 September 2006;

j

“continuing student” (“myfyriwr sy'n parhau”) is an old system eligible student who started the present course before 1 September 2006;

k

“teacher training student” (“myfyriwr ar gwrs hyfforddi athrawon”) means a student who is not a qualified teacher attending a course for the initial training of teachers where the duration of the course does not exceed 2 years and where the course is–

i

a full-time course; or

ii

a part-time course (the duration of which being expressed as its full-time equivalent) and either the course—

aa

began before 1 September 2010;

bb

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2010; or

cc

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student;

l

“transferring student” (“myfyriwr sy'n trosglwyddo”) means an eligible student who starts the present course on or after 1 September 2010 having had his or her status as an eligible student transferred to that course as a result of one or more transfers of that status pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the Act from a designated course which he or she began before 1 September 2010.

17

In calculating the number of years for the purpose of this regulation, attendance for part of an academic year is treated as a whole academic year.

18

The Welsh Ministers may, at any time, renew or extend the period of eligibility for such further period as they determine.

19

The Welsh Ministers may confer eligibility to grants and loans for fees and grants for living costs otherwise than in accordance with paragraphs (8) to (16).

20

For the purposes of this regulation and subject to the exceptions in paragraphs (22), (23) and (24) a “previous course” is any full-time higher education course or any part-time course for the initial training of teachers which the student began to attend or, in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertake before the present course and which meets one or both of the conditions in paragraph (21).

21

The conditions are—

a

the course is provided by an institution in the United Kingdom which was publicly funded for some or all of the academic years during which the student took the course; or

b

any scholarship, exhibition, bursary, grant, allowance or award of any description which was paid in respect of the student’s attending or, in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertaking the course to defray fees was from public funds or funds attributable to public funds.

22

A course which would otherwise be a previous course will not be treated as such if—

a

the present course is a course for the initial training of teachers;

b

the duration of the present course does not exceed two years where the present course is—

i

a full-time course; or

ii

a part-time course (the duration of which being expressed as its full-time equivalent) and either the present course—

aa

began before 1 September 2010;

bb

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2010; or

cc

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student; and

c

the student is not a qualified teacher.

23

A course for the Certificate in Education which would otherwise be a previous course will not be treated as such if—

a

the present course is a course for the degree (including an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education;

b

the student transferred to the present course from the course for the Certificate in Education before the completion of that course or began the present course on completion of the course for the Certificate in Education.

24

A course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education will not be treated as a previous course if—

a

the present course is a course for the honours degree of Bachelor of Education;

b

the student transferred to the present course from the course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education before the completion of that course or began the present course on completion of the course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education.

Previous study7

1

Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), an eligible student who has attained an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom does not qualify for a grant or loan for fees.

2

Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), an eligible student who starts his or her course on or after 1 September 2006 does not qualify for a loan for living costs if he or she has attained an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom.

3

Paragraph (1) does not apply to an eligible student attending a course where—

a

the course is a course for the initial training of teachers;

b

the duration of the course does not exceed two years where the course is—

i

a full-time course; or

ii

a part-time course (the duration of which being expressed as its full-time equivalent) and either the course—

aa

began before 1 September 2010;

bb

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2010; or

cc

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student; and

c

the eligible student is not a qualified teacher.

4

Where the present course is considered to be a single course because of regulations 5(6) and 5(7) and it leads to an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom being conferred on the eligible student before the final degree or equivalent qualifications, the eligible student is not prevented from qualifying for support under paragraph (1) or (2) in respect of any part of the single course by virtue of having that honours degree.

5

Paragraph (2) does not apply where—

a

the present course leads to qualification as a social worker;

b

the eligible student is to receive any payment—

i

under a healthcare bursary the amount of which is calculated by reference to his or her income; or

ii

under a Scottish healthcare allowance the amount of which is calculated by reference to his or her income in respect of any academic year of the present course; or

c

the present course is a course for the initial training of teachers which is—

i

a full-time course; or

ii

a part-time course which—

aa

began before 1 September 2010;

bb

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2010; or

cc

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student.

6

In this regulation and regulation 6, the “ordinary duration of the course” (“cyfnod arferol y cwrs”) means the number of academic years that a standard student would take to complete the designated course and “standard student” (“myfyriwr safonol”) means a student who is to be taken—

i

to have started the designated course on the same date as the eligible student in question;

ii

not to be excused any part of the course on account of having attended another course;

iii

not to repeat any part of the course; and

iv

not to be absent from the course other than during vacations.

7

Paragraphs (7) and (8) of regulation 24 extend the provisions of this regulation relating to qualification for fee loans and fee grants to the grants for living costs referred to in those paragraphs, subject to specified exceptions.

Transfer of status8

1

Where an eligible student transfers to another course, the Welsh Ministers must transfer the student’s status as an eligible student to that course where–

a

they receive a request from the eligible student to do so;

b

they are satisfied that one or more of the grounds of transfer in paragraph (2) applies; and

c

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

2

The grounds of transfer are—

a

on the recommendation of the academic authority the eligible student ceases one course and starts to—

i

attend another designated course at the institution;

ii

undertake another compressed degree course at the institution; or

iii

undertake a compressed degree course at the institution;

b

the eligible student starts to—

i

attend a designated course at another institution; or

ii

undertake a compressed degree course with another institution;

c

after commencing a course for the Certificate in Education, the eligible student is, on or before the completion of that course, admitted to a designated course for the degree (including an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education either at the same institution or at another institution;

d

after commencing a course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education, the eligible student is, on or before completion of that course, admitted to a designated course for the honours degree of Bachelor of Education either at the same institution or at another institution; or

e

after commencing a course for a first degree (other than an honours degree) the eligible student is, before the completion of that course, admitted to a designated course for an honours degree in the same subject or subjects at the institution.

3

Subject to paragraph (4), an eligible student who transfers under paragraph (1) is entitled to receive in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers the remainder of the support assessed by the Welsh Ministers in respect of the academic year of the course from which he or she transfers.

4

The Welsh Ministers may re-assess the amount of support payable after the transfer.

5

An eligible student who transfers under paragraph (1) after the Welsh Ministers have assessed his or her support in connection with the academic year of the course from which he or she is transferring but before he or she completes that year may not, in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers, apply for another grant or loan of a kind that he or she has already applied for under these Regulations in connection with the academic year of the course from which he or she is transferring unless otherwise provided.

PART 3APPLYING FOR SUPPORT AND PROVISION OF INFORMATION

Applications for support9

1

A person (the “applicant”) must apply for support in connection with each academic year of a designated course by completing and submitting to the Welsh Ministers an application in such form and accompanied by such documentation as the Welsh Ministers may require.

2

The Welsh Ministers may take such steps and make such inquiries as they consider necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible student, whether the applicant qualifies for support and the amount of support payable, if any.

3

The Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant of whether or not the applicant qualifies for support and, if the applicant does qualify, the amount of support payable in respect of the academic year, if any.

Time limits10

1

The general rule is that the application must reach the Welsh Ministers no later than the end of the ninth month of the academic year in respect of which it is submitted.

2

The general rule does not apply where —

a

one of the events listed in regulation 15 occurs after the first day of the academic year in respect of which the applicant is applying for support, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers within a period of nine months beginning with the day on which the relevant event occurs;

b

the applicant is making a separate application for a fee loan under regulation 22 or regulation 23 or a fee contribution loan under regulation 21 or a loan for living costs under regulation 43 or a college fee loan under Schedule 4 or is applying for an additional amount of fee loan under regulation 22(3) or 22(7), an additional amount of fee contribution loan under regulation 21(6) or an additional amount of fee loan under regulation 23(3) or an additional amount of loan for living costs under regulation 57(3) or an additional amount of college fee loan under paragraph 11(2) of Schedule 4 in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers not later than one month before the end of the academic year to which the application relates;

c

the applicant is applying to borrow an additional amount of fee contribution loan under regulation 21(4) or an additional amount of loan for living costs under regulation 57(1), in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers not later than one month before the end of the academic year to which the application relates or within a period of one month beginning with the day on which the applicant receives notice of the increased maximum amount, whichever is the later;

d

the applicant is applying for a grant under regulation 25, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers as soon as is reasonably practicable;

e

the Welsh Ministers consider that having regard to the circumstances of the particular case the time limit should be relaxed, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers not later than such date as they specify.

Information11

Schedule 3 applies to the provision of information.

Requirement to enter into a contract for a loan12

To receive a loan under these Regulations a student must enter into a contract with the Welsh Ministers on terms to be decided by the Welsh Ministers.

PART 4GRANTS AND LOANS FOR FEES

CHAPTER 1GENERAL PROVISION

Fee Support Generally13

1

Support under this Part in respect of an academic year may not exceed the fees payable by the student in respect of that academic year.

2

For the purposes of calculating the amount of fee support under this Part, an institution that provides courses designated by regulation 4 of the Education (Student Support) (Dance and Drama) Regulations 199951 is not to be regarded as publicly funded by reason only that it receives public funds from the governing body of a higher education institution in accordance with section 65(3A) of the Further and Higher Education Act 199252.

3

A student to whom paragraph (4) applies is treated as if he or she were in attendance on the designated course for the purpose of qualifying for fee support.

4

This paragraph applies to—

a

a compressed degree student;

b

a disabled student who—

i

is not a compressed degree student; and

ii

is undertaking a designated course in the United Kingdom but is not in attendance because he or she is unable to attend for a reason which relates to his or her disability.

Students becoming eligible during the course of an academic year14

Where any of the events listed in regulation 15 occurs in the course of an academic year–

a

a student may qualify for grants and loans under this Part in respect of that academic year provided that the relevant event occurred within the first three months of the academic year; and

b

such grants and loans are not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

Events15

The events are—

a

the student’s course becomes a designated course;

b

the student, his or her spouse, his or her civil partner or his or her parent is recognised as a refugee or becomes a person with leave to enter or remain;

c

a state accedes to the European Community where the student is a national of that state or a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 1) of a national of that state;

d

the student becomes a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 1) of an EC national;

e

the student acquires the right of permanent residence;

f

the student becomes the child of a Turkish worker;

g

the student becomes a person described in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1; or

h

the student becomes the child of a Swiss national.

CHAPTER 2GRANTS FOR FEES

Grants for fees: qualifying conditions for old system eligible students16

1

This regulation applies to an old system eligible student who began a designated course before 1 September 2006 and is continuing on that course after 31 August 2010 (a “continuing student”).

2

Subject to paragraph (5) and regulations 6 and 7, an old system eligible student qualifies in accordance with this regulation for a grant in respect of the fees for an academic year payable by the student in respect of, or otherwise in connection with, the student’s attendance on a designated course.

3

The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is determined in accordance with regulation 17 or 18.

4

A continuing student does not qualify for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course if—

a

that year is bursary year or an Erasmus year; or

b

the designated course is a flexible postgraduate ITT course.

5

A continuing student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of any academic year of the course that begins on or after 1 September 2010 where in the course of assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the designated course that began before 1 September 2006 the Welsh Ministers determined in accordance with regulations made by them under section 22 of the Act that the student did not qualify for fee support in respect of the designated course.

Amount of grants for fees at a publicly funded institution and at a private institution on behalf of a publicly funded institution: old system eligible students17

1

Unless one of the following cases set out in paragraph (4) applies, the amount of the grant for fees for an old system eligible student in respect of an academic year of a designated course at a publicly-funded institution is the lesser of–

a

£1,310; and

b

the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

2

The basic amount of the grant for fees for an old system eligible student in respect of an academic year in the cases in paragraph (4) is the lesser of–

a

£650; and

b

the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

3

Where a contribution exceeding nil is calculated under Schedule 5, a deduction will be made from the grant for fees determined under paragraph (1) or (2) in accordance with regulation 60.

4

The cases are—

a

the final year of the course where that year is ordinarily required to be completed after less than 15 weeks' attendance;

b

in respect of a sandwich course, an academic year—

i

during which any periods of full-time study are in aggregate less than 10 weeks; or

ii

if in respect of that academic year and any previous academic years of the course the aggregate of any one or more periods of attendance which are not periods of full-time study at the institution (disregarding intervening vacations) exceeds 30 weeks;

c

in respect of a course for the initial training of teachers (including a course leading to a first degree) which—

i

began before 1 September 2010;

ii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2010; or

iii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student,

an academic year during which any periods of full-time study are in aggregate less than 10 weeks;

d

in respect of a course provided in conjunction with an overseas institution, an academic year—

i

during which the periods of full-time study at the institution in the United Kingdom are in aggregate less than 10 weeks; or

ii

if in respect of that academic year and any previous academic years of the course the aggregate of any one or more periods of attendance which are not periods of full-time study at the institution in the United Kingdom (disregarding intervening vacations) exceeds 30 weeks.

5

In the case of a designated course at Heythrop College, the amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is £2,345.

6

In the case of a designated course at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is £4,775.

7

The basic amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year at a private institution providing a designated course on behalf of a public institution is the lesser of £1,225 and the fees payable by the student in connection with that year if–

a

the designated course began on or after 1 September 2001;

b

the designated course is provided on behalf of a publicly-funded institution; and

c

none of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) applies.

8

The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year at a private institution providing a designated course on behalf of a public institution is the lesser of £650 and the fees payable by the student in connection with that year if–

a

the designated course began on or after 1 September 2001;

b

the designated course is provided on behalf of a publicly-funded institution; and

c

one or more of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) applies.

9

Where a contribution exceeding nil is calculated under Schedule 5, a deduction will be made from the amount of the grant for fees determined under paragraph (7) or (8) in accordance with regulation 60.

Amount of the grant for fees at a private institution: old system eligible students18

1

Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course at a private institution is the lesser of—

a

£1,225; and

b

the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

2

In the case of a designated course at the University of Buckingham, the amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is £3,110.

New fee grant19

1

Subject to paragraph (2), a student who qualifies for a new fee grant may apply under this regulation for a new fee grant of an amount not exceeding the maximum available (in accordance with paragraph (3) or (4), as the case may be) in respect of, or otherwise in connection with, his or her attendance on a qualifying designated course.

2

A new fee grant is not available in respect of an academic year if—

a

that year is a bursary year or an Erasmus year; or

b

the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

3

The maximum amount of grant available under this regulation to an applicant in respect of an academic year of a qualifying designated course where none of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) applies is £1,980 or the amount by which the fees payable by him or her exceed £1,310, whichever is the lesser.

4

The maximum amount of grant available in respect of such an academic year under this regulation to an applicant where one of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) applies is £990 or the amount by which the fees payable by him or her exceed £650, whichever is the lesser.

5

In these Regulations and subject to paragraph (6), “student who qualifies for a new fee grant” (“myfyriwr sydd â hawl i gael grant newydd at ffioedd”), in relation to a qualifying designated course, means a new system eligible student who is a person whom the Welsh Ministers have determined in connection with the designated course falls within one of the categories set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1.

6

A 2010 cohort student is not a student who qualifies for a new fee grant.

7

In these Regulations, “qualifying designated course” (“cwrs dynodedig cymhwysol”), in relation to a student who qualifies for a new fee grant, means a designated course provided by a publicly-funded institution in Wales.

CHAPTER 3LOANS FOR FEES

General qualifying conditions for loans for fees20

1

An eligible student qualifies for a loan for fees in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated course under this Part provided that the student is not excluded from qualification by the following paragraph, regulation 6 or regulation 7.

2

An eligible student does not qualify for a loan for fees in respect of an academic year if–

a

that year is a bursary year or an Erasmus year; or

b

the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

Fee contribution loans (for old system eligible students)21

1

An old system eligible student qualifies for a fee contribution loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course if—

a

he or she qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of that year or would have qualified if he or she had applied for the grant (even if the amount would have been nil); and

b

the designated course is provided by or on behalf of an institution that was publicly funded as at 1 August 2005.

2

Where an old system eligible student applies for a grant for fees and a fee contribution loan, the amount of the fee contribution loan in respect of an academic year of the designated course is the amount for which the student applies not exceeding the amount deducted from his or her grant for fees in accordance with regulation 60.

3

Where the only fee support for which an old system eligible student applies is a fee contribution loan, the amount of that loan in respect of an academic year of the designated course is the amount for which the student applies not exceeding £1,310 or, if any of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) apply, £650.

4

An old system eligible student may apply to borrow an additional amount of fee contribution loan where—

a

the Welsh Ministers determine that the maximum amount of fee contribution loan which has been notified to the student in relation to an academic year should be increased (including an increase from nil) as a result of a reassessment of the student’s contribution or otherwise; and

b

the Welsh Ministers consider that the increase in the maximum amount does not result from the old system eligible student —

i

failing to provide information promptly which might affect his or her ability to qualify for a fee contribution loan for which he or she qualifies; or

ii

providing information which is inaccurate in any material particular.

5

The additional amount in paragraph (4) is an amount which when added to the amount already applied for does not exceed the increased maximum.

6

Where an old system eligible student has applied for a fee contribution loan of less than the maximum amount to which he or she is entitled in relation to the academic year, he or she may apply to borrow an additional amount which, when added to the amount already applied for, does not exceed the relevant maximum applicable in his or her case.

Fee loans: new system eligible students not qualifying for new fee grant22

1

A new system eligible student qualifies in accordance with this regulation for a loan in respect of the fees payable by him or her in respect of, or otherwise in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course.

2

The amount of a fee loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course must not exceed the lesser of—

a

£3,290 or, where one of the circumstances in paragraph 17(4) applies, £1,640; and

b

the fees payable by the student in respect of, or otherwise in connection with, that year.

3

If the student’s status as an eligible student is transferred from one designated course to another under these Regulations and one of the circumstances in paragraph (4) applies, the student may borrow an additional amount by way of fee loan in respect of the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers.

4

The circumstances are—

a

the fees payable in respect of the academic year of the course to which the new system eligible student transfers exceed the fees payable in respect of the academic year of the course from which the student has transferred; and

b

the academic year of the course to which the new system eligible student transfers does not begin on a later date than the academic year of the course from which he or she has transferred.

5

Where paragraph (4)(a) applies, the additional amount that the new system eligible student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which he or she transfers must not exceed an amount equal to the fees payable by him or her in respect of that academic year less the amount of any fee loan he or she has taken out in respect of the academic year from which he or she has transferred.

6

Where paragraph (4)(b) applies, the additional amount that the new system eligible student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which he or she transfers must not exceed the lesser of–

a

£3,290 or, where one of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) applies, £1,640; and

b

the fees payable by the student in respect of, or otherwise in connection with, that year.

7

Where a new system eligible student has applied for a fee loan of less than the maximum amount available in relation to an academic year, he or she may apply to borrow an additional amount which when added to the amount already applied for does not exceed the relevant maximum applicable in his or her case.

8

This regulation does not apply in relation to a student if he or she qualifies for a new fee grant and the course is a qualifying designated course.

Fee loans: Students qualifying for new fee grant23

1

A student who qualifies for a new fee grant may apply under this regulation for a loan in respect of his or her attendance on the qualifying designated course.

2

The maximum amount of loan available under this regulation is the lesser of—

a

£1,310 or, where any of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) apply, £650; and

b

the remainder of the fees payable by the student less an amount equal to the new fee grant in respect of or otherwise in connection with that year.

3

Where the student has applied for a fee loan of less than the maximum amount available in relation to an academic year, he or she may apply to borrow an additional amount which, when added to the amount already applied for, does not exceed that maximum.

4

If the student’s status as an eligible student is transferred from a qualifying designated course to another qualifying designated course under these Regulations and one of the circumstances in paragraph (5) applies, the student may borrow an additional amount by way of fee loan in respect of the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers.

5

The circumstances are—

a

the fees payable in respect of the academic year of the course to which the eligible student transfers exceed the fees payable in respect of the academic year of the course from which the student has transferred; and

b

the academic year of the course to which the eligible student transfers does not begin on a later date than the academic year of the course from which he or she has transferred.

6

Where paragraph (5)(a) applies, the additional amount that the eligible student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which he or she transfers must not exceed an amount equal to the fees payable by him or her in respect of that academic year less the amount of any fee loan he or she has taken out and/or any new fee grant that he or she has received in respect of the academic year from which he or she has transferred.

7

Where paragraph (5)(b) applies, the additional amount that the eligible student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which he or she transfers must not exceed the lesser of–

a

£3,290 or, where one of the circumstances in regulation 17(4) applies, £1,640; and

b

the remainder of fees payable by the student less an amount equal to the new fee grant in respect of, or otherwise in connection with, that year.

PART 5GRANTS FOR LIVING COSTS

General qualifying conditions for grants for living costs24

1

An eligible student qualifies for a grant under this Part provided that—

a

the student is not excluded from qualification by any of the following paragraphs, regulation 6 or regulation 7; and

b

the student satisfies the qualifying conditions for the particular grant for which he or she is applying.

2

An eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this Part if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which the student falls is paragraph 9.

3

An eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this Part in respect of—

a

an academic year which is a bursary year;

b

an academic year of a course for the initial training of teachers which—

i

began before 1 September 2010;

ii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2010; or

iii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student,

during which the periods of full-time attendance, including attendance for the purpose of teaching practice, are in aggregate less than 6 weeks;

c

a flexible postgraduate ITT course which is of less than one academic year’s duration.

4

Paragraph (3)(b) does not apply for the purposes of regulation 25.

5

An eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this Part in respect of any academic year of a sandwich course where the periods of full-time study are in aggregate less than 10 weeks unless the periods of work experience constitute unpaid service.

6

For the purposes of paragraph (5), “unpaid service” (“gwasanaeth di-dâl”) means—

a

unpaid service in a hospital or in a public health service laboratory or with a primary care trust in the United Kingdom;

b

unpaid service with a local authority in the United Kingdom acting in the exercise of their functions relating to the care of children and young persons, health or welfare or with a voluntary organisation providing facilities or carrying out activities of a like nature in the United Kingdom;

c

unpaid service in the prison or probation and aftercare service in the United Kingdom;

d

unpaid research in an institution in the United Kingdom or, in the case of a student attending an overseas institution as part of his or her course, in an overseas institution; or

e

unpaid service with–

i

a Strategic Health Authority established pursuant to section 13 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or a Special Health Authority established pursuant to section 28 of that Act53;

ii

a Local Health Board established pursuant to section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 or a Special Health Authority established pursuant to section 22 of that Act54;

iii

a Health Board or a Special Health Board constituted under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 197855; or

iv

a Health and Social Services Board established under Article 16 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 197256.

7

Subject to paragraph (8), an eligible student does not qualify for a grant under regulations 36 to 42 in respect of an academic year of the designated course if the student does not qualify for relevant support in respect of that academic year.

8

Paragraph (7) does not apply if the reason that the student does not qualify for relevant support in respect of an academic year of a designated course is because—

a

that academic year is an Erasmus year; or

b

the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

9

In paragraph (7) “relevant support” (“cymorth perthnasol”) means, in the case of a grant under regulation 36, a grant for fees, or, in the case of a grant under regulations 37 to 42, a loan for fees.

10

Where one of the events listed in paragraph (11) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a particular grant in accordance with this Part in respect of all or part of that academic year but he or she does not qualify for a grant in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

11

The events are—

a

the student’s course becomes a designated course;

b

the student, the student’s spouse, the student’s civil partner or the student’s parent is recognised as a refugee or is granted leave to enter or remain;

c

the state of which the student is a national accedes to the European Community where the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three-year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course;

d

the student acquires the right of permanent residence;

e

the student becomes the child of a Turkish worker;

f

the student becomes a person described in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1; or

g

the student becomes the child of a Swiss national.

12

Subject to paragraph (13), an eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this Part if he or she is a prisoner.

13

Paragraph (12) does not apply in respect of a grant for disabled students' living costs.

14

A student to whom this paragraph applies is treated as if he or she were in attendance on the designated course for the purpose of qualifying for the following grants—

a

grants for dependants;

b

grant for disabled students' living costs;

c

maintenance grant or special support grant;

d

higher education grant.

15

Paragraph (14) applies to—

a

a compressed degree student;

b

a disabled student who—

i

is not a compressed degree student; and

ii

is undertaking a designated course in the United Kingdom but is not in attendance because he or she is unable to attend for a reason which relates to his or her disability.

Grants for disabled students' living costs25

1

An eligible student qualifies in accordance with this regulation for a grant for disabled students' living costs to assist with the additional expenditure which the Welsh Ministers are satisfied the student is obliged to incur in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course by reason of a disability to which the student is subject.

2

Subject to the following paragraphs, the amount of grant for disabled students' living costs under this regulation is the amount that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate in accordance with the student’s circumstances.

3

Except where paragraph (5) applies, the amount of the grant for disabled students' living costs must not exceed—

a

£20,520 in respect of an academic year for expenditure on a non-medical personal helper;

b

£5,166 in respect of all the academic years during the period of eligibility for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment;

c

the additional expenditure incurred—

i

within the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending the institution;

ii

within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending, as a part of his or her course, any period of study at an overseas institution or for the purpose of attending the Institute;

d

£1,729 in respect of an academic year for any other expenditure including expenditure incurred for the purposes referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) which exceeds the maxima specified in those paragraphs.

4

Where the eligible student has received payments to assist with expenditure on major items of specialist equipment in connection with the course by virtue of holding a transitional award, the maximum amount of grant under paragraph (3)(b) is reduced by the amount of those payments.

5

The maximum amount of grant under paragraphs (3)(a) and (3)(d) is £15,390 and £1,293, respectively where—

a

an eligible student attends a course for the initial training of teachers which—

i

began before 1 September 2010;

ii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers beginning before 1 September 2010; or

iii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student; and

b

in any academic year of that course, the periods of full-time study and full-time teaching practice are in aggregate less than 6 weeks.

Grants for dependants — general26

1

The grants for dependants consist of the following elements—

a

adult dependants' grant;

b

childcare grant;

c

parents' learning allowance.

2

The qualifying conditions for each element and the amounts payable are set out in regulations 27 to 30.

3

A deduction may be made from any element of the grants for dependants in accordance with regulation 60.

Grants for dependants — adult dependants' grant27

1

An eligible student qualifies for an adult dependants' grant in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course in accordance with this regulation.

2

The adult dependants' grant is available in respect of one dependant of an eligible student who is either–

a

the eligible student’s partner; or

b

an adult dependant of the eligible student whose net income does not exceed £3,801.

3

The amount of adult dependants' grant payable in respect of an academic year is calculated in accordance with regulation 30, the basic amount being—

a

£2,647; or

b

where the person in respect of whom the eligible student is applying for adult dependants' grant is ordinarily resident outside the United Kingdom, such amount not exceeding £2,647 as the Welsh Ministers consider reasonable in the circumstances.

Grants for dependants — childcare grant28

1

An eligible student qualifies, in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course, for a childcare grant in accordance with this regulation.

2

Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the childcare grant is available in respect of an academic year in which the student incurs prescribed childcare charges for–

a

a dependent child who is under the age of 15 immediately before the beginning of the academic year; or

b

a dependent child who has special educational needs within the meaning of section 312 of the Education Act 199657 and is under the age of 17 immediately before the beginning of the academic year.

3

An eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this regulation if the student or the student’s partner has elected to receive the childcare element of the working tax credit under Part I of the Tax Credits Act 200258.

4

An eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this regulation if the prescribed childcare charges that he or she incurs are paid or to be paid by the student to his or her partner.

5

Subject to paragraph (6), the basic amount of childcare grant for each week is—

a

for one dependent child, 85 per cent. of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £161.50 per week; or

b

for two or more dependent children, 85 per cent. of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £ 274.55 per week,

except that the student does not qualify for any such grant in respect of each week falling within the period between the end of the course and the end of the academic year in which the course ends.

6

For the purposes of calculating the basic amount of childcare grant—

a

a week runs from Monday to Sunday; and

b

where a week in respect of which prescribed childcare charges are incurred falls partly within and partly outside the academic year in respect of which childcare grant is payable under this regulation, the maximum weekly amount of grant is calculated by multiplying the relevant maximum weekly amount in paragraph (5) by the number of days of that week falling within the academic year and dividing the product by seven.

7

In this regulation “prescribed childcare charges” (“costau rhagnodedig ar gyfer gofal plant”) means childcare charges of a description prescribed for the purposes of section 12 of the Tax Credits Act 200259.

Grants for dependants — parents' learning allowance29

1

An eligible student qualifies in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated course for the parents' learning allowance if the student has one or more dependants who are dependent children.

2

The amount of parents' learning allowance payable in respect of an academic year is calculated in accordance with regulation 30, the basic amount being £1,508.

Grants for dependants — calculations30

1

Subject to the following paragraphs, the amount payable in respect of a particular element of the grants for dependants for which the eligible student qualifies under regulations 27 to 29 is the amount of that element remaining after applying, until it is extinguished, an amount equal to (A − B) as follows and in the following order—

a

to reduce the basic amount of the adult dependants' grant where the eligible student qualifies for that element under regulation 27;

b

to reduce the basic amount of the childcare grant for the academic year where the eligible student qualifies for that element under regulation 28; and

c

to reduce the basic amount of the parents' learning allowance where the eligible student qualifies for that element under regulation 29.

2

Subject to paragraphs (4), (5) and (13), where B is greater than or equal to A, the basic amount of each element of the grants for dependants for which the eligible student qualifies is payable.

3

Where (A − B) is equal to or exceeds the aggregate of the basic amounts of the elements of the grants for dependants for which the eligible student qualifies, the amount payable in respect of each element is nil.

4

The amount of the adult dependants' grant calculated under paragraph (1) in respect of an adult dependant is reduced by one half where—

a

the eligible student’s partner—

i

is an eligible student; or

ii

holds a statutory award; and

b

account is taken of that partner’s dependants in calculating the amount of support for which that partner qualifies or the payment to which he or she is entitled under the statutory award.

5

The amount of the childcare grant calculated under paragraph (1) is reduced by one half where—

a

the eligible student’s partner—

i

is an eligible student; or

ii

holds a statutory award; and

b

account is taken of that partner’s dependants in calculating the amount of support for which that partner qualifies or the payment to which he or she is entitled under the statutory award.

6

Where the amount of the parents' learning allowance calculated under paragraph (1) is £0.01 or more but less than £50, the amount of parents' learning allowance payable is £50.

7

In this regulation—

  • A is the aggregate of the net income of each of the eligible student’s dependants; and

  • B is—

    1. a

      £1,159 where the eligible student has no dependent child;

    2. b

      £3,473 where the eligible student is not a lone parent and has one dependent child;

    3. c

      £4,632 where the eligible student—

      1. i

        is not a lone parent and has more than one dependent child; or

      2. ii

        is a lone parent and has one dependent child;

    4. d

      £5,797 where the eligible student is a lone parent and has more than one dependent child.

8

Paragraphs (9) to (12) apply where, in the course of the academic year, any of the following occurs–

a

there is a change in the number of the eligible student’s dependants;

b

a person becomes or ceases to be a dependant of the eligible student;

c

the eligible student becomes or ceases to be a lone parent;

d

a student becomes an eligible student as a result of an event referred to in regulation 24(11).

9

For the purposes of determining the respective values of A and B and whether adult dependants' grant or parents' learning allowance is payable, the Welsh Ministers must determine the following in relation to each relevant quarter by reference to the student’s circumstances in the relevant quarter—

a

how many dependants the eligible student is to be treated as having;

b

who those dependants are;

c

whether the student is to be treated as a lone parent.

10

The amount of grants for dependants for the academic year is the aggregate of the amounts of adult dependants' grant and parents' learning allowance calculated in respect of each relevant quarter under paragraph (11) and the amount of any childcare grant for the academic year.

11

The amount of adult dependants' grant and parents' learning allowance in respect of a relevant quarter is one third of what that grant or allowance would be for the academic year if the student’s circumstances in the relevant quarter as determined under paragraph (9) applied for the duration of the academic year.

12

In this regulation, a “relevant quarter” (“chwarter perthnasol”) means—

a

in the case of a person referred to in paragraph (8)(d), a quarter which begins after the relevant event occurs other than a quarter during which, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, the longest of any vacation occurs;

b

otherwise, a quarter other than the one quarter during which, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, the longest of any vacation occurs.

13

A deduction may be made in accordance with Part 9 from the amount payable in respect of a particular element of the grants for dependants calculated under this Part.

Grants for dependants — interpretation31

1

In regulations 27 to 30—

a

subject to sub–paragraph (n), “adult dependant” (“dibynnydd mewn oed”) means, in relation to an eligible student, an adult person dependent on the student other than the student’s child, the student’s partner (including a spouse or civil partner from whom the Welsh Ministers consider the student is separated) or his or her former partner;

b

“child” (“plentyn”) in relation to an eligible student includes any child of the student’s partner who is dependent on him or her and any child for whom the student has parental responsibility who is dependent on him or her;

c

“dependant” (“dibynnydd”) means, in relation to an eligible student, the student’s partner, the student’s dependent child or an adult dependant, who in each case is not an eligible student and does not hold a statutory award;

d

“dependent” (“dibynnol”) means wholly or mainly financially dependent;

e

“dependent child” (“plentyn dibynnol”) means, in relation to an eligible student, a child dependent on the student;

f

“lone parent” (“rhiant unigol”) means an eligible student who does not have a partner and who has a dependent child or dependent children;

g

“net income” (“incwm net”) has the meaning given in paragraph (2);

h

subject to sub-paragraphs (i), (j), (k), (l) and (m), “partner” (“partner”) means any of the following—

i

the spouse of an eligible student;

ii

the civil partner of an eligible student;

iii

a person ordinarily living with an eligible student as if he or she were his or her spouse where an eligible student falls within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5 and began the designated course on or after 1 September 2000;

iv

a person ordinarily living with an eligible student as if he or she were the student’s civil partner where an eligible student falls within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5 and began the designated course on or after 1 September 2005;

i

unless otherwise indicated, a person who would otherwise be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) is not treated as a partner if—

i

in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, that person and the eligible student are separated; or

ii

the person is ordinarily living outside the United Kingdom and is not maintained by the eligible student;

j

for the purposes of the definition of “adult dependant”, a person is to be treated as a partner if the person would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the fact that the eligible student with whom the person is ordinarily living does not fall within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5;

k

for the purposes of the definitions of “child” and “lone parent”, a person is to be treated as a partner if the person would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the date on which the eligible student began the specified designated course or the fact that the eligible student with whom the person is ordinarily living does not fall within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5;

l

for the purposes of regulation 28—

i

sub-paragraph (i) does not apply; and

ii

a person is to be treated as a partner if he or she would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the fact that the eligible student with whom he or she is ordinarily living does not fall within paragraph (2)(1)(a) of Schedule 5;

m

for the purposes of determining whether a person is the former partner of an eligible student’s partner, (“partner”) in relation to an eligible student’s partner means—

i

the spouse of an eligible student’s partner;

ii

the civil partner of an eligible student’s partner;

iii

where the eligible student began the specified designated course on or after 1 September 2000, a person ordinarily living with an eligible student’s partner as if he or she were his or her spouse;

iv

where the eligible student began the specified designated course on or after 1 September 2005, a person ordinarily living with an eligible student’s partner as if he or she were his or her civil partner;

n

subject to sub-paragraph (o), for the purposes of the definitions of “adult dependant” (“dibynnydd mewn oed”) and “dependent child” (“plentyn dibynnol”), the Welsh Ministers may treat an adult person or child as dependent on an eligible student if they are satisfied that the adult person or child—

i

is not dependent on—

aa

the eligible student; or

bb

his or her partner; but

ii

is dependent on the eligible student and his or her partner together.

o

the Welsh Ministers must not treat an adult person (“A”) as dependent on an eligible student in accordance with sub-paragraph (n), if A is—

i

the spouse or civil partner of the eligible student’s partner (including a spouse or civil partner from whom the Welsh Ministers consider the eligible student’s partner is separated); or

ii

the former partner of the eligible student’s partner.

2

Subject to paragraph (3), a dependant’s net income is the dependant’s income from all sources for the academic year in question reduced by the amount of income tax and social security contributions payable in respect of it but disregarding–

a

any pension, allowance or other benefit paid by reason of a disability or incapacity to which the dependant is subject;

b

child benefit payable under Part IX of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 199260;

c

any financial support payable to the dependant by a local authority in accordance with regulations made under sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Adoption and Children Act 200261;

d

any guardian’s allowance to which the dependant is entitled under section 77 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992;

e

in the case of a dependant with whom a child being looked after by a local authority is boarded out, any payment made to that dependant in pursuance of section 23 of the Children Act 198962;

f

any payment made to the dependant under section 23C(5A) of the Children Act 198963;

g

any payments made to the dependant under section 15 of and Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 in respect of a person who is not the dependant’s child or any assistance given by a local authority pursuant to section 24 of that Act64; and

h

any child tax credit to which the dependant is entitled under Part I of the Tax Credits Act 200265.

3

Where an eligible student or the student’s partner makes any recurrent payments which were previously made by the student in pursuance of an obligation incurred before the first academic year of the student’s course, the partner’s net income is the net income calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) reduced by—

a

an amount equal to the payments in question for the academic year, if in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, the obligation had been reasonably incurred; or

b

such lesser amount, if any, as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate if, in their opinion, a lesser obligation could reasonably have been incurred.

4

For the purposes of paragraph (2), where the dependant is a dependent child and payments are made to the eligible student towards the child’s maintenance, those payments are to be treated as the child’s income.

Qualifying conditions for the grant for travel32

1

A grant is available to an eligible student attending a course in medicine or dentistry (a necessary part of which is a period of study by way of clinical training) in respect of the reasonable expenditure which he or she is obliged to incur in an academic year for the purpose of attending in connection with his or her course any hospital or other premises in the United Kingdom (not comprised in the institution) at which facilities for clinical training are provided other than expenditure incurred for the purpose of residential study away from the institution.

2

A grant is available to an eligible student in respect of the reasonable expenditure which he or she is obliged to incur in each qualifying quarter within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending as part of his or her course an overseas institution or the Institute.

Amount of the grant for travel33

1

The amount of grant payable under regulation 32(1) in respect of an academic year is equal to the reasonable expenditure that the Welsh Ministers determine the eligible student is obliged to incur for the purposes set out in that regulation less £303.

2

The amount of grant payable under regulation 32 (2) in respect of an academic year is calculated as follows—

(X-£303)+Ymath

where—

  • X is the aggregate of the reasonable travel costs that the eligible student is obliged to incur in each qualifying quarter for the purposes set out in regulation 32.

  • Y is the aggregate of the expenditure incurred in each qualifying quarter specified in paragraph (3).

3

The expenditure specified in paragraph (2) is—

a

expenditure that the eligible student reasonably incurs in insuring against liability for the cost of medical treatment provided outside the United Kingdom for any illness or personal injury contracted or suffered during the period he or she is attending the overseas institution or the Institute;

b

the cost of a visa or visas that the eligible student is obliged to obtain in order to attend the overseas institution or the Institute; and

c

medical costs that the eligible student reasonably incurs in order to fulfil a mandatory condition of entry into the territory, country or state in which the overseas institution or the Institute is situated.

Deductions from the grant for travel34

A deduction may be made from a grant under regulations 32 and 33 in accordance with Part 9.

Interpretation35

For the purposes of this Part—

a

any reference to expenditure incurred for the purpose of attending an institution or period of study—

i

includes expenditure both before and after so attending; and

ii

does not include any expenditure in respect of which a grant is payable under regulation 25.

b

“qualifying quarter” (“chwarter cymhwysol”) means a quarter during which the eligible student attends as part of his or her course an overseas institution or the Institute for at least half the period covered by that quarter.

Higher education grants36

1

An old system eligible student qualifies in accordance with this regulation for a higher education grant in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course to defray the cost of books, equipment, travel or childcare incurred for the purpose of attending that course.

2

An old system eligible student does not qualify for a higher education grant unless he or she began the specified designated course on or after 1 September 2004.

3

The maximum amount of higher education grant available in respect of an academic year is £1,000.

4

An eligible student who qualifies for a higher education grant is entitled to receive an amount as follows—

a

in any case where the household income is £16,765 or less, he or she is entitled to receive the maximum amount of grant available;

b

in any case where the household income exceeds £16,765 and does not exceed £22,750, he or she receives an amount equal to M − A, where M is £1,000 and A is £1 for every complete £6.30 by which the household income exceeds £ 16,765; and

c

in any case where the household income exceeds £22,750, no grant is payable under this regulation.

Maintenance grant37

1

A new system eligible student who is not a 2010 cohort student qualifies in accordance with regulation 38 for a maintenance grant for living costs in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course.

2

A new system eligible student who is a 2010 cohort student qualifies in accordance with regulation 39 for a maintenance grant for living costs in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course.

3

A new system eligible student does not qualify for a maintenance grant if he or she qualifies for a special support grant.

Maintenance grant — new system eligible students who are not 2010 cohort students38

1

The maximum amount of maintenance grant available to a new system eligible student who is not a 2010 cohort student in respect of an academic year is—

a

in the case of a type 1 teacher training student, £1,453;

b

in the case of a type 2 teacher training student, £2,906;

c

in the case of a type 3 teacher training student, £1,453; and

d

in the case of a new system eligible student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student, £2,906.

2

A type 1 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £1,453;

b

where household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−(A/2) where M is £1,453 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370; and

c

where the household income exceeds £27, 852, he or she receives £644.

3

A type 2 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £2,906;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−A where M is £2,906 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370; and

c

where the household income exceeds £27,852, he or she receives £1,288.

4

A type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £1,453;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−(A/2), where M is £1,453 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370;

c

where the household income exceeds £27,852 but does not exceed £39,329 he or she receives an amount equal to RM−(A/2), where RM is £644 and A is £1 for every £9.27 of income above £27,852;

d

where the household income exceeds £39,329, no maintenance grant is payable.

5

A new system eligible student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £2,906;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−A where M is £2,906 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370;

c

where the household income exceeds £27,852 but does not exceed £39,329, he or she receives an amount equal to RM − A, where RM is £1,288 and A is £1 for every complete £9.27 by which the household income exceeds £27,852;

d

where the household income exceeds £39,329, no maintenance grant is payable.

Maintenance grant — new system eligible students who are 2010 cohort students39

1

The maximum amount of maintenance grant available to a new system eligible student who is a 2010 cohort student in respect of an academic year is £5,000.

2

A new system eligible student who is a 2010 cohort student and who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £5,000;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £26,500, he or she receives an amount equal to M−A, where M is £5,000 and A is £1 for every £3.77 by which the household income exceeds £18,370;

c

where the household income exceeds £26,500 but does not exceed £34,000, he or she receives an amount equal to RM − A, where RM is £2,844 and A is £1 for every £4.315 by which the household income exceeds £26,500;

d

where the household income exceeds £34,000 but does not exceed £50,020, he or she receives an amount equal to SM − A, where SM is £1,106 and A is £1 for every £15.17 by which the household income exceeds £34,000;

e

where the household income is £50,020, he or she receives £50; and

f

where the household income exceeds £50,020, no maintenance grant is payable.

Special support grant40

1

A new system eligible student who is not a 2010 cohort student qualifies in accordance with regulation 41 for a special support grant in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course to defray the cost of books, equipment, travel or childcare incurred for the purpose of attending that course.

2

A new system eligible student who is a 2010 cohort student qualifies in accordance with regulation 42 for a special support grant in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course to defray the cost of books, equipment, travel or childcare incurred for the purpose of attending that course.

3

A new system eligible student qualifies for a special support grant if he or she falls within a prescribed category of person for the purposes of section 124(1)(e) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 199266, or if he or she is treated as being liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling prescribed by regulations made under section 130(2) of that Act67.

Special support grant — new system eligible students who are not 2010 cohort students41

1

The maximum amount of special support grant available to a new system eligible student who is not a 2010 cohort student in respect of an academic year is—

a

in the case of a type 1 teacher training student, £1,453;

b

in the case of a type 2 teacher training student, £2,906;

c

in the case of a type 3 teacher training student, £1,453; and

d

in the case of a new system eligible student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student, £2,906.

2

A type 1 teacher training student who qualifies for special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £1,453;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−(A/2) where M is £1,453 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370; and

c

where the household income exceeds £27,852, he or she receives £644.

3

A type 2 teacher training student who qualifies for special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £2,906;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−A where M is £2,906 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370; and

c

where the household income exceeds £27,852, or the student opts when applying for the grant not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income he or she receives £1,288.

4

A type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £1,453;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−(A/2) where M is £1,453 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370;

c

where the household income exceeds £27,852 but does not exceed £39,329, he or she receives an amount equal to RM − (A/2), where RM is £644 and A is £1 for every £9.27 by which the household income exceeds £27,852; and

d

where the household income exceeds £39,329, no special support grant is payable.

5

A new system eligible student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £2,906;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £27,852, he or she receives an amount equal to M−A where M is £2,906 and A is £1 for every £5.86 by which the household income exceeds £18,370;

c

where the household income exceeds £27,852 but does not exceed £39,329, he or she receives an amount equal to RM − A, where RM is £1,288 and A is £1 for every complete £9.27 by which the household income exceeds £ 27,852;

d

where the household income exceeds £39,329, no special support grant is payable.

Special support grant — new system eligible students who are 2010 cohort students42

1

The maximum amount of special support grant available to a new system eligible student who is a 2010 cohort student in respect of an academic year is £5,000.

2

A new system eligible student who is a 2010 cohort student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year–

a

where the household income is £18,370 or less, he or she receives £5,000;

b

where the household income exceeds £18,370 but does not exceed £26,500, he or she receives an amount equal to M−A, where M is £5,000 and A is £1 for every £3.77 by which the household income exceeds £18,370;

c

where the household income exceeds £26,500 but does not exceed £34,000, he or she receives an amount equal to RM − A, where RM is £2,844 and A is £1 for every £4.315 by which the household income exceeds £26,500;

d

where the household income exceeds £34,000 but does not exceed £50,020, he or she receives an amount equal to SM − A, where SM is £1,106 and A is £1 for every £15.17 by which the household income exceeds £34,000;

e

where the household income is £50,020, he or she receives £50; and

f

where the household income exceeds £50,020, no special support grant is payable.

PART 6LOANS FOR LIVING COSTS

Qualifying conditions for loans for living costs43

1

Subject to paragraph (7), an eligible student qualifies for a loan for living costs in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated course if the student satisfies the condition in paragraph (2) and is not excluded by paragraph (3) or regulation 7.

2

The condition is that the eligible student is under the age of 60 on the relevant date.

3

An eligible student does not qualify for a loan for living costs if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which the student falls is paragraph 9.

4

An eligible student does not qualify for a loan for living costs in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course if that course is a flexible postgraduate ITT course which is of less than one academic year’s duration.

5

An eligible student does not qualify for a loan for living costs in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course if that course—

a

begins on or after 1 September 2009; and

b

leads to qualification as a landscape architect, landscape designer, landscape manager, town planner or town and country planner.

6

An old system eligible student who falls within paragraph (a) or (d)(i) of the definition of “old system eligible student” in regulation 2 qualifies for a loan for living costs in connection with his or her attendance on a designated course if he or she satisfies the condition in paragraph (2) and is not excluded by paragraph (3).

7

A student to whom this regulation applies is treated as if he or she were in attendance on the designated course for the purpose of qualifying for the loan for living costs.

8

Paragraph (7) applies to—

a

a compressed degree student; and

b

a disabled student who—

i

is not a compressed degree student; and

ii

is undertaking a designated course in the United Kingdom but is not in attendance because he or she is unable to attend for a reason which relates to his or her disability.

9

An eligible student does not qualify for a loan for living costs under this Part if he or she is a prisoner.

General44

The maximum amount of loan for living costs in respect of an academic year is calculated as follows—

a

where the eligible student is an old system eligible student with full entitlement, in accordance with regulation 45;

b

where the eligible student is a new system eligible student with full entitlement who is not a 2010 cohort student, in accordance with regulations 46 and 47;

c

where the eligible student is a new system eligible student with full entitlement who is a 2010 cohort student, in accordance with regulation 48;

d

where the eligible student is a student with reduced entitlement, in accordance with regulation 49.

Maximum amount of loans for old system eligible students with full entitlement45

1

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which an old system eligible student with full entitlement qualifies in respect of an academic year other than the final year of a course that is not an intensive course is—

a

for a student in category 1, £3,673;

b

for a student in category 2, £6,648;

c

for a student in category 3, £5,658;

d

for a student in category 4, £5,658;

e

for a student in category 5, £4,745.

2

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which an old system eligible student with full entitlement qualifies in respect of an academic year which is the final year of a course that is not an intensive course is–

a

for a student in category 1, £3,324;

b

for a student in category 2, £6,053;

c

for a student in category 3, £4,920;

d

for a student in category 4, £4,920;

e

for a student in category 5, £4,396.

Maximum amount of loans for new system eligible students with full entitlement who are not 2010 cohort students

46

1

This regulation applies to a new system eligible student with full entitlement who is not a 2010 cohort student (other than a type 1 or type 2 teacher training student whose contribution exceeds nil).

2

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student to whom this regulation applies qualifies in respect of an academic year other than a final year of a course that is not an intensive course is equal to (X−Y) where–

  • X is—

    1. i

      for a student in category 1, £3,673;

    2. ii

      for a student in category 2, £6,648;

    3. iii

      for a student in category 3, £5,658;

    4. iv

      for a student in category 4, £5,658;

    5. v

      for a student in category 5, £4,745;

  • Y is the maintenance grant amount.

3

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student to whom this regulation applies qualifies in respect of an academic year that is the final year of a course that is not an intensive course is equal to (X−Y) where–

  • X is—

    1. i

      for a student in category 1, £3,324;

    2. ii

      for a student in category 2, £6,053;

    3. iii

      for a student in category 3, £4,920;

    4. iv

      for a student in category 4, £4,920;

    5. v

      for a student in category 5, £4,396;

  • Y is the maintenance grant amount.

4

In this regulation, “the maintenance grant amount” (“y swm grant cynhaliaeth”) is—

a

where the student qualifies under regulation 38 for an amount of maintenance grant not exceeding £1,288, the amount of maintenance grant payable;

b

where the student qualifies under regulation 38 for an amount of maintenance grant exceeding £1,288, £1,288; and

c

where no maintenance grant is payable, nil.

47

1

This regulation applies to a type 1 or type 2 teacher training student whose contribution exceeds nil.

2

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student to whom this regulation applies qualifies in respect of an academic year other than the final year of a course that is not an accelerated course is—

a

for a student in category 1, £3,673;

b

for a student in category 2, £6,648;

c

for a student in category 3, £5,658;

d

for a student in category 4, £5,658;

e

for a student in category 5, £4,745.

3

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student to whom this regulation applies qualifies in respect of an academic year of a course that is the final year of a course that is not an accelerated course is—

a

for a student in category 1, £3,324;

b

for a student in category 2, £6,053;

c

for a student in category 3, £4,920;

d

for a student in category 4, £4,920;

e

for a student in category 5, £4,396.

Maximum amount of loans for new system eligible students with full entitlement who are 2010 cohort students48

1

This regulation applies to a new system eligible student with full entitlement who is a 2010 cohort student.

2

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student to whom this regulation applies qualifies in respect of an academic year other than a final year of a course that is not an intensive course is equal to (X−Y) where–

  • X is—

    1. i

      for a student in category 1, £3,673;

    2. ii

      for a student in category 2, £6,648;

    3. iii

      for a student in category 3, £5,658;

    4. iv

      for a student in category 4, £5,658;

    5. v

      for a student in category 5, £4,745.

  • Y is the maintenance grant amount.

3

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student to whom this regulation applies qualifies in respect of an academic year that is the final year of a course that is not an intensive course is equal to (X−Y) where–

  • X is—

    1. i

      for a student in category 1, £3,324;

    2. ii

      for a student in category 2, £6,053;

    3. iii

      for a student in category 3, £4,920;

    4. iv

      for a student in category 4, £4,920;

    5. v

      for a student in category 5, £4,396.

  • Y is the maintenance grant amount.

4

In this regulation, “the maintenance grant amount” (“y swm grant cynhaliaeth”) is—

a

where the student qualifies under regulation 39 for an amount of maintenance grant, the amount that is equal to £0.60 for every complete £1 of maintenance grant for which that student qualifies, up to a maximum value for Y of £2,844;

b

where no maintenance grant is payable under regulation 39, nil.

Students with reduced entitlement49

1

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student with reduced entitlement qualifies in respect of an academic year of a course other than the final year of a course than is not an intensive course is–

a

where the student falls within regulation 24(3)(a)—

i

for a student in category 1, £1,744;

ii

for a student in category 2, £3,268;

iii

for a student in category 3, £2,324;

iv

for a student in category 4, £2,324;

v

for a student in category 5, £2,324.

b

where the student falls within regulation 24(3)(b) or 24(5)—

i

for a student in category 1, £1,744;

ii

for a student in category 2, £3,268;

iii

for a student in category 3, £2,780;

iv

for a student in category 4, £2,780;

v

for a student in category 5, £2,324.

c

where the student applies for a loan for living costs and opts not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income an amount equal to (X−Y) where—

  • X is —

    1. i

      for a student in category 1, £2,755;

    2. ii

      for a student in category 2, £4,986;

    3. iii

      for a student in category 3, £4,244;

    4. iv

      for a student in category 4, £4,244;

    5. v

      for a student in category 5, £3,559.

  • Y is the amount specified in paragraph (d).

    1. a

      the specified amount is—

      1. i

        £644 where the student is a type 1 teacher training student who opts not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income when applying for a maintenance grant and who qualifies for a maintenance grant of £644;

      2. ii

        £1,288 where the student is a type 2 teacher training student who opts not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income when applying for a maintenance grant and who qualifies for a maintenance grant of £1,288;

      3. iii

        nil where the student is not a type 1 or type 2 teacher training student.

2

Subject to regulations 50 to 55, the maximum amount of loan for living costs for which a student with reduced entitlement qualifies in respect of an academic year that is the final year of a course that is not an intensive course is–

a

where the student falls within regulation 24(3)(a)—

i

for a student in category 1, £1,324;

ii

for a student in category 2, £2,498;

iii

for a student in category 3, £1,811;

iv

for a student in category 4, £1,811;

v

for a student in category 5, £1,811.

b

where the student falls within regulation 24(3)(b) or 24(5)—

i

for a student in category 1, £1,324;

ii

for a student in category 2, £2,498;

iii

for a student in category 3, £2,031;

iv

for a student in category 4, £2,031;

v

for a student in category 5, £1,811.

c

where the student applies for a loan for living costs and opts not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income an amount equal to (X−Y) where—

  • X is—

    1. i

      for a student in category 1, £2,493;

    2. ii

      for a student in category 2, £4,540;

    3. iii

      for a student in category 3, £3,690;

    4. iv

      for a student in category 4, £3,690;

    5. v

      for a student in category 5, £3,297.

  • Y is the amount specified in paragraph (d).

    1. a

      the specified amount is—

      1. i

        £644 where the student is a type 1 teacher training student who opts not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income when applying for a maintenance grant and who qualifies for a maintenance grant of £644;

      2. ii

        £1,288 where the student is a type 2 teacher training student who opts not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income when applying for a maintenance grant and who qualifies for a maintenance grant of £1,288;

      3. iii

        nil where the student is not a type 1 or type 2 teacher training student.

Students residing with parents50

1

Subject to paragraph (2), where an eligible student resides at his or her parents' home and the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that in all the circumstances the student’s parents by reason of age, incapacity or otherwise cannot reasonably be expected to support the student and that it would be appropriate for the amount of loan payable to a student in a category other than category 1 to apply in his or her case, the student must be treated as if the student were not residing at the student’s parents' home.

2

Paragraph (1) does not apply to an eligible student who begins a course on or after 1 September 2004.

Loans for living costs payable in respect of three quarters of the academic year51

1

Subject to regulation 53, the loan for living costs is payable in respect of three quarters of the academic year.

2

The loan for living costs is not payable—

a

in the case of a compressed degree student, in respect of the quarter nominated by the Welsh Ministers;

b

in any other case, in respect of the quarter in which, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, the longest of any vacation occurs.

Students falling into more than one category52

1

Where an eligible student falls into more than one of the categories in regulation 56 in the course of the academic year—

a

the maximum amount of loan for living costs for the academic year is the aggregate of the maximum amount of loan for living costs for each quarter in respect of which the loan is payable;

b

the maximum amount of loan for living costs for each such quarter is one third of the maximum amount of loan for living costs which would apply for the academic year if the student fell into the category which applies to the relevant quarter for the duration of the academic year; and

c

the category which applies to a quarter is—

i

the category into which the student falls for the longer or longest period in that quarter; or

ii

if the student falls into more than one category for an equal period in that quarter, the category with the higher or highest rate of loan for living costs for the academic year.

Students becoming eligible during the course of an academic year53

1

Where a student becomes an eligible student during the course of an academic year as a result of one of the events listed in paragraph (2), the student may qualify for a loan for living costs in respect of such quarters of that academic year in respect of which a loan for living costs is payable as begin after the relevant event in paragraph (2) occurs.

2

The events are—

a

the student’s course becomes a designated course;

b

the student, the student’s spouse, the student’s civil partner or the student’s parent is recognised as a refugee or becomes a person with leave to enter or remain;

c

the state of which the student is a national accedes to the European Community where the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three-year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course;

d

the student acquires the right of permanent residence;

e

the student becomes the child of a Turkish worker;

f

the student becomes a person described in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1; or

g

the student becomes the child of a Swiss national.

3

An eligible student to whom paragraph (1) applies does not qualify for a loan for living costs in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

4

The maximum amount of loan for living costs payable is the aggregate of the maximum amount of loan for each quarter in respect of which the student qualifies for support under this regulation.

5

The maximum amount of loan for living costs for each such quarter is one third of the maximum amount of loan for living costs which would apply for the academic year if the student fell into the category which applies to the relevant quarter for the duration of the academic year.

Increases in maximum amount54

1

Where an eligible student is required to attend his or her course for a period exceeding 30 weeks and 3 days in an academic year, the maximum amount of loan for living costs specified in regulations 45 to 48 must be increased for each week or part week of attendance in that academic year beyond 30 weeks and 3 days as follows:

a

for a student in category 1, by £55;

b

for a student in category 2, by £106;

c

for a student in category 3, by £115;

d

for a student in category 4, by £115;

e

for a student in category 5, by £83.

2

Where an eligible student attends his or her course for a period of not less than 45 weeks in any continuous period of 52 weeks the amount of loan for living costs specified in regulations 45 to 48 is increased for each week in the 52 week period during which the student did not attend by the amounts referred to in paragraph (1).

3

This regulation does not apply in the case of a student with reduced entitlement.

Deductions from loans for living costs55

1

A deduction from the amount of loan for living costs calculated under this Part in respect of an old system eligible student with full entitlement or a new system eligible student with full entitlement may be made in accordance with regulation 60.

2

A deduction from the amount of loan for living costs calculated under this Part in respect of a student with reduced entitlement may not be made under regulation 60.

Interpretation of Part 656

1

In this Part—

a

a student is in category 1 if the student resides at his or her parents' home while attending the designated course or if he or she began the present course before 1 September 2009 and is a member of a religious order who resides in a house of that order;

b

a student is in category 2 if he or she is not in category 1 and attends one or more of the following—

i

a course at the University of London;

ii

a course at an institution which requires attendance for at least half the time in aggregate of any quarter of the course in the academic year at a site wholly or partly within the area comprising the City of London and the former Metropolitan Police District; or

iii

a sandwich course at an institution which requires the eligible student to undertake work experience or a combination of work experience and study provided that the student undertakes such work experience or combination of work experience and study for at least half the time in aggregate of any quarter of the course in the academic year at a site or sites wholly or partly within the area comprising the City of London and the former Metropolitan Police District;

c

a student is in category 3 if the student is not in category 1 and the student attends an overseas institution as part of his or her course;

d

a student is in category 4 if the student is not in category 1 and attends the Institute;

e

a student is in category 5 if the student is not in categories 1 to 4;

f

a “new system eligible student with full entitlement” (“myfyriwr cymwys o dan y drefn newydd sydd â hawlogaeth lawn”) is a new system eligible student other than a student with reduced entitlement;

g

an “old system eligible student with full entitlement” (“myfyriwr cymwys o dan yr hen drefn sydd â hawlogaeth lawn”) is an old system eligible student other than a student with reduced entitlement;

h

the “relevant date” (“dyddiad perthnasol”) means the first day of the first academic year of the specified designated course;

i

a “student with reduced entitlement” (“myfyriwr sydd â hawlogaeth wedi'i gostwng”) is an eligible student who—

i

is not eligible for a grant for living costs in respect of the academic year by virtue of regulation 24(3)(a) or (b) or regulation 24(5); or

ii

opts when applying for a loan for living costs not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income;

j

where the duration of a graduate-entry or postgraduate-level course for the initial training of teachers is only one academic year, that year is not to be treated as the final year.

PART 7GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS

Additional amount of loans57

1

An eligible student may apply to borrow an additional amount of loan for living costs where—

a

the Welsh Ministers determine that the maximum amount of loan for living costs which has been notified to the student in relation to an academic year should be increased (including an increase from nil) as a result of a reassessment of the student’s contribution or otherwise; and

b

the Welsh Ministers consider that the increase in the maximum amount does not result from the eligible student—

i

failing to provide information promptly which might affect his or her ability to qualify for a loan or the amount of loan for which he or she qualifies; or

ii

providing information which is inaccurate in any material particular.

2

The additional amount under paragraph (1) is an amount which when added to the amount already applied for does not exceed the increased maximum.

3

Where an eligible student has applied for a loan of less than the maximum amount to which he or she is entitled in relation to the academic year, he or she may apply to borrow an additional amount which, when added to the amount already applied for, does not exceed the relevant maximum applicable in his or her case.

PART 8COLLEGE FEE LOANS

58

A college fee loan is available to an eligible student in accordance with Schedule 4.

PART 9FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT

Calculation of contribution59

1

An eligible student’s contribution in respect of an academic year is the amount, if any, calculated under Schedule 5.

2

For the purposes of the exercise of the Welsh Ministers' functions under the Act and regulations made under it, the Welsh Ministers may require an eligible student to provide from time to time such information as they consider necessary as to the income of any person whose means are relevant to the assessment of the student’s contribution.

Application of contribution60

1

Subject to paragraph (4), an amount equal to the contribution or the remainder of the contribution, as the case may be, calculated under Schedule 5, is to be applied until it is extinguished against the amount of the particular grants and loans for which the eligible student qualifies as follows—

a

first, to reduce GFF;

b

second, to reduce ADG;

c

third, to reduce CCG;

d

fourth, to reduce PLA;

e

fifth, to reduce LLC to no less than the minimum level for the academic year;

f

sixth, to reduce GFT.

2

In the case of an old system eligible student, subject to paragraph (4), where the basic amount of the grant for fees has been calculated in accordance with regulation 17(1) and 17(7), to determine the actual amount of grant for fees that is payable, the Welsh Ministers must apply the contribution in accordance with paragraph (1).

3

In the case of an old system eligible student where the basic amount of the grant for fees has been calculated in accordance with regulation 17(2) or 17(8) and one of the cases set out in regulation 17(4)(b) or (d) applies, to determine the actual amount of fees payable the Welsh Ministers must—

a

first, apply the contribution to reduce the basic amount of the grant for fees;

b

second, if the contribution is not extinguished, deduct an amount equal to the basic amount of the grant for fees from what is left of the contribution reducing the remainder of the contribution to no less than nil; and

c

third, if the contribution is still not extinguished, apply the remainder first to reduce ADG in accordance with paragraph (1).

4

Where the course is a course for the initial training of teachers (other than a course for a first degree), there is no deduction from the basic amount of the grant for fees under this regulation and the contribution is first applied to reduce ADG in accordance with paragraph (1).

5

In the case of an Erasmus year, the Welsh Ministers must apply the amount by which the contribution exceeds £1,310, first to reduce ADG in accordance with paragraph (1).

6

Where the student does not qualify for a grant for fees for any other reason, GFF is nil and the contribution is applied first to reduce ADG.

7

In the case of a new system eligible student, GFF is nil and the contribution is applied first to reduce ADG.

8

In this regulation—

a

ADG is the amount, if any, of the adult dependants' grant calculated in accordance with regulation 30;

b

CCG is the amount, if any, of the childcare grant calculated in accordance with regulation 30;

c

GFF is the amount, if any, of grant for fees for which the eligible student qualifies under Part 4;

d

GFT is the amount of the grant for travel for which the eligible student qualifies under regulation 32, if any;

e

LLC is the amount of loan for living costs, if any, for which the eligible student (other than a student with reduced entitlement) qualifies under Part 6 to no less than the minimum level for the academic year specified in paragraph (9);

f

PLA is the amount, if any, of the parents' learning allowance calculated under regulation 30 (except the first £50 of the allowance).

9

Subject to paragraphs (10) and (11), the “minimum level for the academic year” (“lefel isaf am y flwyddyn academaidd”) in regulation 60(1)(e) is—

a

£2,755, in the case of a student in category 1;

b

£4,986, in the case of a student in category 2;

c

£4,244, in the case of a student in category 3;

d

£4,244, in the case of a student in category 4;

e

£3,559, in the case of a student in category 5.

10

Subject to paragraph (11), where the academic year in question is the final year of a course other than an intensive course, the “minimum level for the academic year” (“lefel isaf am y flwyddyn academaidd”) is—

a

£2,493, in the case of a student in category 1;

b

£4,540, in the case of a student in category 2;

c

£3,690, in the case of a student in category 3;

d

£3,690, in the case of a student in category 4;

e

£3,297, in the case of a student in category 5.

11

Where different categories apply for different quarters of the academic year, the minimum levels in paragraphs (9) and (10) are the aggregate of the amounts determined under paragraph (12) for each of the three quarters in respect of which a loan is payable.

12

The amount determined for each quarter is one third of the amount in paragraph (9) or (10) which corresponds to the rate applicable for the quarter.

13

The loan for living costs payable in respect of an academic year to a type 1 teacher training student who has a household income exceeding £39,793 is the amount left after deducting £644 from the amount of loan for living costs left after applying the contribution in accordance with this regulation.

14

This paragraph applies to type 1 and type 2 teacher training students who qualify for a maintenance grant and whose contribution exceeds nil.

15

The loan for living costs payable in respect of an academic year to a student to whom paragraph (14) applies is calculated as follows—

A-Bmath

where—

  • A is the amount of loan for living costs left after applying the contribution in accordance with this Part; and

  • B is the amount of maintenance grant payable to the student.

16

Categories 1 to 5 have the meaning given in regulation 56.

PART 10PAYMENTS

Payment of grants or loans for fees61

1

The Welsh Ministers must not pay the grant or loan for fees for which a student qualifies unless they have received a request for payment from the relevant academic authority and in the case of a loan for fees, the Welsh Ministers must not pay the loan before a period of three months beginning with the first day of the academic year has expired.

2

The Welsh Ministers must pay the loan for fees for which a student qualifies to an academic authority to which the student is liable to make payment.

3

The Welsh Ministers must pay the grant for fees to the academic authority—

a

not before the expiry of a period of three months beginning with the first day of the academic year; and

b

not later than 10 weeks after the expiry of the period in sub-paragraph (a), or promptly after a valid request for payment has been received, if that is later.

4

Where assessment of the student’s contribution or other matters has delayed the final calculation of the amount of grant for which the student qualifies, the Welsh Ministers may make a provisional assessment and payment.

5

The Welsh Ministers may pay the fee loan in instalments.

6

Where assessment of an old system eligible student’s contribution or other matters have delayed the final calculation of the amount of fee contribution loan for which the student qualifies under regulation 21, the Welsh Ministers may make a provisional assessment and payment.

7

No payment of the grant or loan for fees may be made in respect of a designated course if—

a

before the expiry of a period of three months beginning with the first day of the academic year the eligible student ceases to attend or, in the case of a student who is treated as in attendance under regulation 13(3) and 13(4), undertake the course; and

b

the academic authority has determined or agreed that the student will not commence attending or as the case may be, undertaking in the United Kingdom, the course again during the academic year in respect of which the fees are payable or at all.

Payment of grants for living costs62

1

Subject to the following paragraphs, the Welsh Ministers may pay support under Part 5 in such instalments (if any) and at such times as they consider appropriate.

2

An academic authority is required to send an attendance confirmation to the Welsh Ministers.

3

The Welsh Ministers must not pay the first instalment or, where it has been determined not to pay support under Part 5 by instalments, make any payment of support under that Part to an eligible student before they have received an attendance confirmation unless an exception applies.

4

An exception applies if—

a

a grant for disabled students' living costs is payable in which case that particular grant may be paid before the Welsh Ministers have received an attendance confirmation; or

b

the Welsh Ministers have determined that owing to exceptional circumstances it would be appropriate to make a payment without receiving an attendance confirmation.

5

Where a final assessment cannot be made on the basis of the information provided by the student, the Welsh Ministers may make a provisional assessment and payment of support under Part 5.

6

Payments of support under Part 5 are to be made in such manner as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate and they may make it a condition of entitlement to payment that the eligible student must provide them with particulars of a bank or building society account in the United Kingdom into which payments may be made by electronic transfer.

7

Subject to paragraph (8), no support under Part 5 is due in respect of any day of an academic year on which the eligible student is a prisoner, unless in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers it would be appropriate in all the circumstances for support to be paid in respect of that day.

8

Paragraph (7) does not apply in respect of grants for disabled students' living costs.

9

In deciding whether it would be appropriate for support to be due under paragraph (7) the circumstances to which the Welsh Ministers must have regard include the financial hardship not paying the support would cause and whether not paying the support would affect the student’s ability to continue the course.

10

No support under Part 5 is due in respect of any payment period beginning after an eligible student’s period of eligibility terminates.

11

Where an eligible student’s period of eligibility terminates on or after the relevant date, the Welsh Ministers must determine—

a

the amount of each grant for living costs for which the student qualifies that would be payable in respect of the relevant payment period if the eligible student’s period of eligibility had not terminated (the “full amount”); and

b

how much of the full amount is due in respect of the period which runs from the first day of the relevant payment period up to and including the day on which the eligible student’s period of eligibility terminated (the “partial amount”).

12

In this regulation, the “relevant date” (“y dyddiad perthnasol”) is the date on which the first term of the academic year in question actually begins.

13

If the Welsh Ministers have made a payment of grant for living costs in respect of the relevant payment period before the point in that period at which the eligible student’s period of eligibility terminated and that payment exceeds the partial amount of that grant—

a

they may treat the excess as an overpayment of that grant; or

b

if they consider that it is appropriate to do so they may extend the student’s period of eligibility in respect of that grant until the end of the relevant payment period and determine that the full amount of the grant is due in respect of that payment period.

14

Subject to paragraph (15), if a payment of a grant for living costs in respect of the relevant payment period is due to be made or is made after the eligible student’s period of eligibility has terminated, the amount of that grant due is the partial amount unless the Welsh Ministers consider it appropriate to extend the period of eligibility in respect of that grant until the end of the relevant payment period and to determine that the full amount of that grant is due in respect of that payment period.

15

Paragraph (14) does not apply to a payment of grant for disabled students' living costs in respect of specialist equipment.

16

No support under Part 5 is due in respect of a payment period during any part of which an eligible student is absent from his or her course, unless in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers it would be appropriate in all the circumstances for support to be paid in respect of the period of absence.

17

In deciding whether it would be appropriate for support to be due under paragraph (16) the circumstances to which the Welsh Ministers must have regard include the reason for the student’s absence, the length of the absence and the financial hardship which not paying the support would cause.

18

An eligible student is not to be considered absent from his or her course if he or she is unable to attend due to illness and his or her absence has not exceeded 60 days.

19

Where, after the Welsh Ministers have made any payment of support under Part 5 or Part 6, they make a determination of the amount of a grant for living costs for which the student qualifies either for the first time or by way of revision of a provisional or other determination of that amount—

a

if the determination increases the amount of that grant for which the student qualifies they must pay the additional amount in such instalments (if any) and at such times as they consider appropriate;

b

if the determination decreases the amount of that grant for which the student qualifies they must subtract the amount of the decrease from the amount of that grant which remains to be paid;

c

if the amount of the decrease is greater than the amount of that grant remaining to be paid the latter amount is reduced to nil and the balance subtracted from any other grant for living costs for which the student qualifies in respect of the academic year;

d

any remaining overpayment is recoverable in accordance with regulation 66.

Provision of United Kingdom national insurance number63

1

The Welsh Ministers may make it a condition of entitlement to payment of any loan that an eligible student must provide them with his or her United Kingdom national insurance number.

2

Where the Welsh Ministers have imposed a condition under paragraph (1), they must not make any payment of the loan to the eligible student before they are satisfied that the student has complied with that condition.

3

Despite paragraph (2), the Welsh Ministers may make a payment of loan to an eligible student if they are satisfied that owing to exceptional circumstances it would be appropriate to make such a payment without the eligible student having complied with the condition imposed under paragraph (1).

Information requirements64

1

The Welsh Ministers may at any time request from an applicant or an eligible student information that they consider is required to recover a loan.

2

The Welsh Ministers may at any time request from an applicant or an eligible student sight of his or her valid national identity card, his or her valid passport issued by the state of which he or she is a national or his or her birth certificate.

3

Where the Welsh Ministers have requested information under this regulation, they may withhold any payment of a loan until the applicant or eligible student provides what has been requested or provides a satisfactory explanation for not complying with the request.

4

The Welsh Ministers may at any time require an applicant or an eligible student to enter into an agreement to repay a loan by a particular method.

5

Where the Welsh Ministers have requested an agreement as to the method of repayment under this regulation, the Welsh Ministers may withhold any payment of a loan until the applicant or eligible student provides what has been requested.

Payment of loans for living costs65

1

The Welsh Ministers may pay support under Part 6 in instalments.

2

Subject to paragraph (3), the Welsh Ministers may pay support under Part 6 at such times as they consider appropriate.

3

An academic authority is required to send an attendance confirmation to the Welsh Ministers.

4

The Welsh Ministers must not pay the first instalment, or where they have determined not to pay support under Part 6 by instalments, make any payment of support under Part 6 to the eligible student before they have received an attendance confirmation from the relevant academic authority unless an exception applies.

5

An exception applies if the Welsh Ministers have determined that owing to exceptional circumstances it would be appropriate to make a payment without receiving an attendance confirmation.

6

Where a final assessment cannot be made on the basis of the information provided by the student, the Welsh Ministers may make a provisional assessment and payment of support under Part 6.

7

Payments of support under Part 6 are to be made in such manner as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate and they may make it a condition of entitlement to payment that the eligible student must provide them with particulars of a bank or building society account in the United Kingdom into which payments may be made by electronic transfer.

8

Where the Welsh Ministers have made any payment of support under Part 5 or Part 6 and a student who qualifies for a loan for living costs under Part 6 applies for such a loan or applies for an additional amount of loan for living costs in respect of an academic year, the Welsh Ministers may pay that loan or that additional amount of loan in such instalments (if any) and at such times as they consider appropriate as soon as is reasonably practicable after a satisfactory application has been received.

9

Subject to paragraph (10), no support under Part 6 is due in respect of any day of an academic year on which the eligible student is a prisoner, unless in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers it would be appropriate in all the circumstances for support to be paid in respect of that day.

10

In deciding whether it would be appropriate for support to be due under paragraph (9) the circumstances to which the Welsh Ministers must have regard include the financial hardship which not paying the support would cause and whether not paying the support would affect the student’s ability to continue the course.

11

No support under Part 6 is payable in respect of any payment period beginning after an eligible student’s period of eligibility terminates.

12

No support under Part 6 is due in respect of a payment period during part of which an eligible student is absent from his or her course, unless in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers it would be appropriate in all the circumstances for support to be paid in respect of the period of absence.

13

In deciding whether it would be appropriate for support to be due under paragraph (12) the circumstances to which the Welsh Ministers must have regard include the reasons for the student’s absence, the length of absence and the financial hardship which not paying the student would cause.

14

An eligible student is not to be considered absent from his or her course if he or she is unable to attend due to illness and his or her absence has not exceeded 60 days.

15

Where, after the Welsh Ministers have made any payment of loan for living costs for which a student qualifies in respect of an academic year under Part 6, they make a determination that the amount of loan for living costs for which the student qualifies is less than the amount previously determined either by way of a revision of a provisional assessment or otherwise—

a

they must subtract such amount as is necessary to ensure that the student does not borrow an amount of loan for living costs which is greater than that for which he or she qualifies from any amount of loan for living costs which remains to be paid;

b

if the amount to be subtracted is greater than the amount of loan for living costs remaining to be paid, the latter is reduced to nil;

c

any remaining overpayment is recoverable in accordance with regulation 66.

Overpayments66

1

Any overpayment of a grant or loan for fees may be recovered by the Welsh Ministers from the academic authority.

2

An eligible student must, if so required by the Welsh Ministers, repay any amount paid to the student under Part 5 or 6 which for whatever reason exceeds the amount of support to which the student is entitled under Part 5 or 6.

3

The Welsh Ministers must recover an overpayment of any grant for living costs unless they consider it is not appropriate to do so.

4

A payment of any grant for living costs made before the relevant date is an overpayment if the student withdraws from the course before the relevant date unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

5

In the circumstances in paragraph (6) or (7), there is an overpayment of the grant for disabled students' living costs unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

6

The circumstances are—

a

the Welsh Ministers apply all or part of the grant for disabled students' living costs to the purchase of specialist equipment on behalf of the eligible student;

b

the student’s period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

c

the equipment has not been delivered to the student before his or her period of eligibility terminates.

7

The circumstances are—

a

the eligible student’s period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

b

a payment of the grant for disabled students' living costs in respect of specialist equipment is made to the student after the student’s period of eligibility terminated.

8

Where there is an overpayment of the grant for disabled students' living costs, the Welsh Ministers may accept the return of specialist equipment purchased with the grant by way of recovery of all or part of the overpayment if they consider it is appropriate to do so.

9

Any overpayment of any grant under Part 5 may be recovered in whichever one or more of the following ways the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate in all the circumstances–

a

by subtracting the overpayment from any kind of grant payable to the student from time to time pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

by taking such other action for the recovery of an overpayment as is available to them.

10

Any overpayment of a loan for living costs in respect of any academic year may be recovered if in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers—

a

the overpayment is a result of a failure of the student to provide promptly information which might affect whether he or she qualifies for a loan or the amount of loan for which he or she qualifies;

b

any information which the student has provided is inaccurate in a material particular; or

c

the student has failed to provide information which the Welsh Ministers consider to be material in the context of the recovery of the loan.

11

Where an overpayment of a loan for living costs is recoverable in accordance with paragraph (10), it may be recovered in whichever one or more of the following ways the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate in all the circumstances—

a

by subtracting the overpayment from the amount of any loan payable to the student from time to time pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

by taking such other action for the recovery of an overpayment as is available to them.

12

Where there has been an overpayment of a loan for living costs which is not recoverable under paragraph (10), the Welsh Ministers may subtract the overpayment from the amount of any loan payable to the student from time to time pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act.

13

In this regulation “the relevant date” (“y dyddiad perthnasol”) is the date on which the first term of the academic year in question actually begins.

Payments — interpretation67

1

In this Part—

a

“attendance confirmation” (“cadarnhad o bresenoldeb”) means—

i

confirmation from the academic authority that the student has enrolled for the academic year where—

aa

the student is applying for support in connection with a designated course for the first time;

bb

the student has a disability; and

cc

the student is undertaking the course but not attending (regardless of whether the reason for not attending relates to his or her disability);

ii

confirmation from the academic authority that the student has presented himself or herself at the institution and begun to attend the course where—

aa

the student is applying for support in connection with a designated course for the first time;

bb

the student has not had his or her status as an eligible student transferred to the course from another designated course at the same institution; and

cc

sub-paragraph (i)(cc) does not apply;

iii

confirmation from the academic authority that the student has enrolled for the academic year where—

aa

the student is applying for support in connection with a designated course other than for the first time; or

bb

the student is applying for support in connection with a designated course for the first time after having his or her status as an eligible student transferred to that course from another course at the same institution;

b

“payment period” (“cyfnod talu”) means a period in respect of which the Welsh Ministers pay the relevant support under Part 5 or Part 6 or would have paid such support if the eligible student’s period of eligibility had not terminated.

PART 11SUPPORT FOR FULL-TIME DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES

Eligible distance learning students68

1

An eligible distance learning student qualifies for support in connection with his or her undertaking a designated distance learning course subject to and in accordance with this Part.

2

Subject to paragraph (3), a person is an eligible distance learning student in connection with a designated distance learning course if in assessing his or her application for support the Welsh Ministers determine that the person falls within one of the categories set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1.

3

A person is not an eligible distance learning student if—

a

subject to paragraph (4), there has been bestowed on him or her or paid to him or her in connection with the distance learning course—

i

a healthcare bursary whether or not the amount of such bursary is calculated by reference to his or her income;

ii

any allowance under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 200768; or

iii

a Scottish healthcare allowance whether or not the amount of such allowance is calculated by reference to his or her income;

b

he or she is in breach of any obligation to repay any loan;

c

he or she has reached the age of 18 and has not ratified any agreement for a loan made with him or her when he or she was under the age of 18;

d

he or she has, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support; or

e

subject to paragraph (5), he or she is a prisoner.

4

Paragraph (3)(a) does not apply if—

a

the person applying for support is a disabled student; and

b

there has been bestowed on him or her or paid to him or her in connection with the distance learning course—

i

a healthcare bursary the amount of which is calculated by reference to his or her income; or

ii

a Scottish Healthcare Allowance whether or not the amount of such allowance is calculated by reference to his or her income.

5

Paragraph (3)(e) does not apply in respect of an academic year during which the student enters prison to serve a custodial sentence or is released from prison having served such a sentence.

6

For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(b) and (3)(c), “loan” (“benthyciad”) means a loan made under the student loans legislation.

7

In a case where the agreement for a loan is subject to the law of Scotland, paragraph (3)(c) only applies if the agreement was made–

a

before 25 September 1991; and

b

with the concurrence of the borrower’s curator or at a time when he or she had no curator.

8

Subject to paragraphs (11) to (13), a person is an eligible distance learning student for the purposes of this Part if he or she satisfies the conditions in paragraph (9) or (10).

9

The conditions in this paragraph are—

a

the person qualified as an eligible distance learning student in connection with an earlier academic year of the present designated distance learning course pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the present designated distance learning course; and

c

the person’s status as an eligible distance learning student has not terminated.

10

The conditions in this paragraph are—

a

the Welsh Ministers have previously determined that the person is—

i

an eligible student in connection with a designated course;

ii

an eligible distance learning student in connection with a designated distance learning course other than the present distance learning course; or

iii

an eligible part-time student in connection with a designated part-time course;

b

the person’s status as an eligible student, eligible distance learning student or as an eligible part-time student in connection with the course referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has been converted or transferred from that course to the present designated distance learning course as a result of one or more conversions or transfers in accordance with regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

c

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the course referred to in sub-paragraph (a); and

d

the person’s status as an eligible distance learning student has not terminated.

11

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers determined that, by virtue of being a refugee or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a refugee, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present distance learning course or an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course or other designated distance learning course from which his or her status as an eligible student, eligible part-time student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the present distance learning course; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the refugee status of A or of his or her spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent, as the case may be, has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 200269),

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

12

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers determined that, by virtue of being a person with leave to enter or remain or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present distance learning course or an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course or other designated distance learning course from which his or her status as an eligible student, eligible part-time student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the present distance learning course; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person with leave to enter or remain is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

13

Paragraphs (11) and (12) do not apply where the student began the course in connection with which the Welsh Ministers determined that he or she was an eligible student or eligible part-time student, as the case may be, before 1 September 2007.

14

An eligible distance learning student may not, at any one time, qualify for support for—

a

more than one designated distance learning course;

b

a designated distance learning course and a designated course;

c

a designated distance learning course and a designated part-time course;

d

a designated distance learning course and a designated postgraduate course.

Students becoming eligible during the course of the academic year69

1

Where one of the events listed in paragraph (4) occurs in the course of an academic year–

a

a student may qualify for a grant in respect of fees in respect of that academic year in accordance with this Part provided that the relevant event occurred within the first three months of the academic year; and

b

a grant in respect of fees is not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

2

Where one of the events listed in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of paragraph (4) occurs in the course of an academic year–

a

a student may qualify for a grant for books, travel and other expenditure in respect of that academic year in accordance with this Part; and

b

a grant for books, travel and other expenditure is not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

3

Where one of the events listed in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of paragraph (4) occurs in the course of an academic year–

a

a student may qualify for a grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs in respect of that academic year in accordance with this Part; and

b

a grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs is not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

4

The events are—

a

the student’s course becomes a designated distance learning course;

b

the student, his or her spouse, his or her civil partner or his or her parent is recognised as a refugee or becomes a person with leave to enter or remain;

c

a state accedes to the European Community and the student is a national of that state or a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 1) of a national of that state;

d

the student becomes a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 1) of an EC national;

e

the state of which the student is a national accedes to the European Community where the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three-year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course;

f

the student acquires the right of permanent residence;

g

the student becomes a person described in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1;

h

the student becomes the child of a Swiss national; or

i

the student becomes the child of a Turkish worker.

Designated distance learning courses70

1

A course is designated for the purposes of section 22(1) of the Act and regulation 68 if it is designated by the Welsh Ministers under this regulation.

2

Subject to paragraph (4), the Welsh Ministers may designate a course under this regulation if in their opinion—

a

the course is mentioned in Schedule 2 other than a course for the initial training of teachers;

b

the course is a full-time course;

c

the course is of at least one academic year’s duration; and

d

students undertaking the course in the United Kingdom are not required to be in attendance on it by the institution or institutions providing the course.

3

For the purposes of determining whether the requirement in paragraph (2)(d) is satisfied the Welsh Ministers may disregard—

a

any requirement imposed by the institution or institutions providing the course to attend any institution for the purposes of–

i

registration or enrolment;

ii

an examination;

b

any requirement imposed by the institution or institutions providing the course to attend any institution on a weekend or during any vacation;

c

any period of attendance at the institution or institutions providing the course which a student may but is not required to complete by that institution or those institutions.

4

The Welsh Ministers may not designate a course as a designated distance learning course if—

a

it falls within paragraph 7 or 8 of Schedule 2; and

b

the governing body of a maintained school has arranged for the provision of the course to a pupil of the school.

Period of eligibility71

1

A student retains his or her status as an eligible distance learning student in connection with a designated distance learning course until the status terminates in accordance with this regulation and regulation 68.

2

The period for which an eligible distance learning student retains his or her status is the “period of eligibility”.

3

Subject to the following paragraphs and regulation 68, the period of eligibility terminates at the end of the academic year in which the eligible distance learning student completes the designated distance learning course.

4

The period of eligibility terminates when the eligible distance learning student—

a

withdraws from his or her designated distance learning course in circumstances where the Welsh Ministers have not transferred or converted or will not transfer or convert his or her status under regulation 79, 80, 81, or 104; or

b

abandons or is expelled from his or her designated distance learning course.

5

The Welsh Ministers may terminate the period of eligibility where the eligible distance learning student has shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support.

6

If the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible distance learning student has failed to comply with any requirement to provide information under this Part or has provided information which is inaccurate in a material particular, the Welsh Ministers may take such of the following actions as they consider appropriate in the circumstances–

a

terminate the period of eligibility;

b

determine that the student no longer qualifies for any particular support or particular amount of support;

c

treat any support paid to the student as an overpayment which may be recovered under regulation 84.

7

Where the period of eligibility terminates before the end of the academic year in which the eligible distance learning student completes the designated distance learning course the Welsh Ministers may, at any time, renew or extend the period of eligibility for such period as they determine.

Support for distance learning courses72

1

For the purposes of this regulation, the support available is—

a

a grant in respect of fees not exceeding the lesser of the following amounts—

i

£975; and

ii

the “actual fees”, being the amount of fees charged to the student in respect of an academic year of the designated distance learning course; and

b

a grant not exceeding £1,095 for books, travel and other expenditure in connection with the designated distance learning course.

2

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under paragraph (1)(b) if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which he or she falls is paragraph 9.

3

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation if—

a

he or she is a disabled student; and

b

there has been bestowed on him or her or paid to him or her in connection with the designated distance learning course—

i

a healthcare bursary the amount of which is calculated by reference to his or her income; or

ii

a Scottish healthcare allowance whether or not the amount of such allowance is calculated by reference to his or her income.

4

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation unless the Welsh Ministers consider that he or she is undertaking the designated distance learning course in Wales.

5

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation if he or she has undertaken one or more distance learning courses for eight academic years in aggregate and he or she has received in respect of each of those academic years a loan or a grant of the kind described in paragraph (6).

6

The loans and grants are—

a

a loan, a grant in respect of fees or a grant for books, travel and other expenditure each made in respect of an academic year of a distance learning course pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the Act;

b

a loan, a grant in respect of fees or a grant for books, travel and other expenditure each made in respect of an academic year of a distance learning course by the Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland) pursuant to regulations made under Articles 3 and 8(4) of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 199870; or

c

a loan in respect of an academic year of a distance learning course made pursuant to regulations made under sections 73(f), 73B and 74(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 198071.

7

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation if he or she holds a first degree from an educational institution in the United Kingdom.

8

For the purposes of paragraph (7), a degree is not to be treated as a first degree where—

a

it is a degree (other than an honours degree) that has been awarded to the eligible distance learning student who has completed the required modules, examinations or other forms of assessment for his or her first degree course; and

b

that student is undertaking the present designated distance learning course so as to obtain an honours degree on completion of the required modules, examinations or other forms of assessment (whether or not that student continues the course at the same educational institution after the award of the degree referred to in sub-paragraph (a)).

Amount of support73

1

Subject to paragraph (2) and regulation 79(6), the amount of support payable in respect of an academic year is as follows—

a

if at the date of his or her application the eligible distance learning student or his or her partner is entitled—

i

under Part VII of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 199272 to income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit;

ii

under Part 1 of the Jobseekers Act 199573 to income-based jobseeker’s allowance or under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 197374 to an allowance under the arrangements known as the New Deal; or

iii

under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 200775 to an income-related employment and support allowance,

the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1) is payable;

b

where the relevant income is less than £16,865, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1) is payable;

c

where the relevant income is £16,865, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(b) is payable together with £50 less than the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(a);

d

where the relevant income exceeds £16,865 but is less than £25,435, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(b) is payable and the amount of support payable under regulation 72(1)(a) is the amount determined in accordance with paragraph (2);

e

where the relevant income is £25,435, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(b) is payable and the amount of support payable under regulation 72(1)(a) is £50;

f

where the relevant income exceeds £25,435 but is less than £26,095, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(b) is payable and no support is payable under regulation 72(1)(a);

g

where the relevant income is £26,095 or more but less than £28,180 no support is available under regulation 72(1)(a) and the amount of support payable under regulation 72(1)(b) is the amount left after deducting from the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(b) £1 for every complete £1.995 by which the relevant income exceeds £26,095;

h

where the relevant income is £28,180, no support is payable under regulation 72(1)(a) and the amount of support payable under regulation 72(1)(b) is £50;

i

where the relevant income exceeds £28,180 no support is payable under regulation 72(1).

2

Where paragraph (1)(d) applies, the amount of support payable under regulation 72(1)(a) is determined by deducting from the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(a) one of the following amounts—

a

£50 plus a further £1 for each complete £9.79 by which the relevant income exceeds £16,865; or

b

where the actual fees are less than £975, an amount equal to that left after deducting from the amount calculated under sub-paragraph (a) the difference between £975 and the actual fees (unless the amount is a negative number in which case the maximum amount of support available under regulation 72(1)(a) is payable).

Interpretation of regulation 7374

1

For the purposes of regulation 73—

a

subject to sub-paragraph (b), “partner” (“partner”) means any of the following–

i

the spouse of an eligible distance learning student;

ii

the civil partner of an eligible distance learning student;

iii

a person ordinarily living with an eligible distance learning student as if he or she were his or her spouse where an eligible distance learning student is aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is being assessed for support and where he or she began the specified designated distance learning course before 1 September 2005;

iv

a person ordinarily living with an eligible distance learning student as if he or she were his or her spouse or civil partner where an eligible distance learning student began the specified designated distance learning course on or after 1 September 2005;

b

a person who would otherwise be a partner under sub-paragraph (a) is not to be treated as a partner if—

i

in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, that person and the eligible distance learning student are separated; or

ii

the person is ordinarily living outside the United Kingdom and is not maintained by the eligible distance learning student;

c

“relevant income” (“incwm perthnasol”) has the meaning given in paragraph (2).

2

Subject to paragraph (3), an eligible distance learning student’s relevant income is equal to his or her financial resources in the preceding financial year less—

i

£2,000 in respect of his or her partner;

ii

£2,000 in respect of the only or eldest child who is dependent on the student or his or her partner; and

iii

£1,000 in respect of each other child who is dependent on the student or his or her partner.

3

Where the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible distance learning student’s financial resources in the preceding financial year are greater than his or her financial resources in the current financial year and that the difference between the two amounts is £1,000 or more, they must assess that student’s financial resources by reference to those resources in the current financial year.

4

In this regulation, an eligible distance learning student’s financial resources in a financial year means the aggregate of his or her income for that year together with the aggregate of the income for that year of any person who at the date of the application for support is the student’s partner.

5

In this regulation—

a

“child” (“plentyn”) in relation to an eligible distance learning student includes any child of his or her partner and any child for whom he or she has parental responsibility;

b

“current financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol gyfredol”) means the financial year which includes the first day of the academic year in respect of which a person is being assessed for support;

c

“dependent” (“dibynnol”) means wholly or mainly financially dependent;

d

“financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol”) means the period of twelve months for which the income of the eligible distance learning student is computed for the purposes of the income tax legislation which applies to it;

e

“income” (“incwm”) means gross income from all sources excluding—

i

any payment made under section 23C(5A) of the Children Act 1989; and

ii

any tax credits awarded pursuant to any claims under section 3 of the Tax Credits Act 200276;

f

“preceding financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol flaenorol”) means the financial year immediately preceding the current financial year;

g

“specified designated distance learning course” (“cwrs dysgu o bell dynodedig a bennir”) means the course in respect of which the person is applying for support or, where the student’s status as an eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the present designated distance learning course as a result of one or more transfers of that status by the Welsh Ministers from a distance learning course (the “initial course”) (“cwrs cychwynnol”) in connection with which the Welsh Ministers determined the student to be an eligible distance learning student pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the Act, the specified designated distance learning course is the initial course.

Grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs75

1

An eligible distance learning student qualifies in accordance with this Part for a grant to assist with the additional expenditure which the Welsh Ministers are satisfied he or she is obliged to incur by reason of a disability to which he or she is subject in respect of his or her undertaking a designated distance learning course.

2

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for the grant under this regulation if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which he or she falls is paragraph 9.

3

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for the grant under this regulation in respect of any academic year that is a bursary year.

4

An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for the grant under this regulation unless the Welsh Ministers consider that he or she is undertaking the designated distance learning course in Wales.

5

Subject to the following paragraphs, the amount of grant under this regulation is the amount that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate in accordance with the student’s circumstances.

6

The amount of the grant under this regulation must not exceed—

a

£20,520 in respect of an academic year for expenditure on a non-medical personal helper;

b

£5,166 in respect of all the academic years during the period of eligibility for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment;

c

the additional expenditure incurred—

i

within the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending the institution;

ii

within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending, as a part of his or her course, any period of study at an overseas institution or for the purpose of attending the Institute;

d

£1,729 in respect of an academic year for any other expenditure including expenditure incurred for the purposes referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) which exceeds the specified maxima.

Applications for support76

1

A person (the “applicant”) must apply for support in connection with each academic year of a designated distance learning course by completing and submitting to the Welsh Ministers an application in such form as the Welsh Ministers may require.

2

The application must be accompanied by—

a

a declaration completed by the academic authority; and

b

such additional documentation as the Welsh Ministers may require.

3

The Welsh Ministers may take such steps and make such inquiries as they consider necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible distance learning student, whether he or she qualifies for support and the amount of support payable, if any.

4

The Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant of whether he or she qualifies for support and, if he or she does qualify, the amount of support payable in respect of the academic year, if any.

5

The general rule is that the application must reach the Welsh Ministers within a period of six months beginning with the first day of the academic year of the course in respect of which it is submitted.

6

The general rule does not apply where—

a

one of the events listed in paragraph (4) of regulation 69 occurs after the first day of the academic year in respect of which the applicant is applying for support, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers within a period of six months beginning with the day on which the relevant event occurred;

b

the applicant is applying for the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers as soon as is reasonably practicable; or

c

the Welsh Ministers consider that having regard to the circumstances of the particular case the time limit should be relaxed, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers not later than such date as they specify.

Declarations provided by academic authorities77

1

Subject to paragraph (2), the academic authority must, on the request of the applicant, complete a declaration in such form as may be required by the Welsh Ministers to accompany the application for support.

2

An academic authority is not required to complete a declaration if it is unable to give the confirmation required.

3

In this Part, “declaration” (“datganiad”) means–

a

where the applicant is applying for support in connection with the designated distance learning course for the first time, a statement that—

i

provides the course information; and

ii

confirms that the applicant has undertaken at least two weeks of the designated distance learning course;

b

in any other case, a statement that—

i

provides the course information; and

ii

confirms that the applicant has enrolled to undertake the academic year of the designated distance learning course in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

4

In this regulation, “course information” (“gwybodaeth am y cwrs”) means—

a

the amount of fees being charged in respect of the academic year in respect of which the applicant is applying for support;

b

certification by the academic authority that it considers the applicant is undertaking the designated distance learning course in Wales; and

c

in any case where the applicant is a disabled student, certification by the academic authority that it considers the applicant has chosen to undertake the designated distance learning course for a reason other than he or she is unable to attend a designated course for a reason which relates to his or her disability.

Information78

Schedule 3 deals with the provision of information.

Transfer of status79

1

Where an eligible distance learning student transfers to another designated distance learning course, the Welsh Ministers must transfer the student’s status as an eligible distance learning student to that course where—

a

they receive a request from the eligible distance learning student to do so;

b

they are satisfied that one or more of the grounds for transfer in paragraph (2) applies; and

c

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

2

The grounds for transfer are—

a

the eligible distance learning student starts to undertake another designated distance learning course at the institution;

b

the eligible distance learning student starts to undertake a designated distance learning course at another institution; or

c

after commencing a designated distance learning course for a first degree (other than an honours degree) the eligible distance learning student is, before the completion of that course, admitted to a designated distance learning course for an honours degree in the same subject or subjects at the institution.

3

Subject to paragraph (4), an eligible distance learning student who transfers under paragraph (1) is to receive in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers the remainder of the support for which the Welsh Ministers have determined he or she qualifies in respect of the academic year of the course from which he or she transfers.

4

The Welsh Ministers may re-assess the amount of support payable after the transfer.

5

An eligible student who transfers under paragraph (1) after the Welsh Ministers have determined his or her support in connection with the academic year of the course from which he or she is transferring but before he or she completes that year, may not apply for another grant under regulation 72(1)(b) or regulation 75 in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers.

6

Where a student transfers under paragraph (1), the maximum amount of support under regulation 72(1)(a) in respect of the academic years to and from which he or she transfers is the amount of support available in connection with the course with the highest actual fees as defined in regulation 72.

Conversion of status — eligible students transferring to designated distance learning courses80

1

Where an eligible student ceases to undertake a designated course and transfers to a designated distance learning course at the same or at another institution, the Welsh Ministers must convert his or her status as an eligible student to that of an eligible distance learning student in connection with the course to which he or she is transferring where—

a

they receive a request from the eligible student to do so; and

b

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

2

The following applies to a student who transfers under paragraph (1)—

a

where the Welsh Ministers have determined to pay an amount of grant for disabled students' living costs to the student under Part 5 in periodic instalments, no payment in respect of that amount of grant must be made in respect of any instalment period beginning after the date on which the student becomes an eligible distance learning student;

b

the maximum amount of grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs to which the student would, apart from this regulation, be entitled in connection with his or her undertaking a designated distance learning course in respect of that academic year is reduced by one third where the student became an eligible distance learning student in the second quarter of the academic year and by two thirds where he or she became such a student in a later quarter of that year;

c

where an amount of grant for disabled students' living costs for any purpose has been paid to the student under Part 5 in a single instalment, the maximum amount of grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs payable to him or her for that purpose is reduced (or where sub-paragraph (b) applies, further reduced) by the amount of grant paid to him or her for that purpose pursuant to Part 5, and where the resulting amount is nil or a negative amount that amount is nil; and

d

where immediately before he or she became an eligible distance learning student he or she was eligible to apply, but had not applied for a loan for living costs in respect of that year, or had not applied for the maximum amount or increased maximum to which he or she was entitled, he or she may apply for such a loan or such additional amount as if he or she had continued to be an eligible student and in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (3) the maximum amount or increased maximum amount of such loan for the academic year is reduced in accordance with that paragraph.

3

Where the request under paragraph (1) is made during the first quarter of the academic year in respect of which the loan is payable the maximum amount or increased maximum amount of loan (as the case may be) is reduced by two thirds and where the request is made during the second quarter of that year that amount is reduced by one third.

Conversion of status — eligible distance learning students transferring to designated courses81

1

Where an eligible distance learning student ceases to undertake a designated distance learning course and transfers to a designated course at the same or at another institution, the Welsh Ministers must convert his or her status as an eligible distance learning student to that of an eligible student in connection with the course to which he or she is transferring where–

a

they receive a request from the eligible distance learning student to do so; and

b

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

2

The following applies to a student who transfers under paragraph (1)—

a

where the Welsh Ministers have determined to pay an amount of grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs to the student in periodic instalments no payment in respect of that amount of grant must be made in respect of any instalment period beginning after the date on which the student became an eligible student;

b

any support to which the student is entitled under this Part in respect of the academic year in which the student transfers is ignored in determining the amount of support to which he or she may be entitled in respect of that year under Parts 4 to 6;

c

the maximum amount of any support under Part 5 or 6 to which the student would, apart from this regulation, be entitled in connection with a designated course in respect of the academic year is reduced by one third where the student became an eligible student during the second quarter of that academic year and by two thirds where he or she became such a student in a later quarter of that year; and

d

where an amount of grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs for any purpose has been paid to the student in a single instalment, the maximum amount of grant for disabled students' living costs payable to him or her under Part 5 for that purpose is reduced (or, where sub-paragraph (c) applies, further reduced) by the amount of grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs paid to him or her for that purpose and where the resulting amount is nil or a negative amount that amount is nil.

Payment of grants for fees82

1

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Welsh Ministers must pay the grant in respect of fees for which the student qualifies to the appropriate academic authority after a valid request for payment has been received.

2

The Welsh Ministers may make payments under paragraph (1) at such times and in such instalments as they see fit.

3

The Welsh Ministers may make provisional payments under paragraph (1) in such cases as they deem appropriate.

Payment of grants for books, travel and other expenditure and grants for disabled distance learning students' living costs83

1

Payments of the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs may be made in such manner as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate and they may make it a condition of entitlement to payment that the eligible distance learning student must provide them with particulars of a bank or building society account in the United Kingdom into which payments may be made by electronic transfer.

2

Where the Welsh Ministers cannot make a final assessment on the basis of the information provided by the student, they may make a provisional assessment and payment of the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs.

3

The Welsh Ministers may pay the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs in instalments.

4

Subject to paragraph (5), the Welsh Ministers may pay the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs at such times as they consider appropriate.

5

The Welsh Ministers must not pay the first instalment or, where it has been determined not to pay support in instalments, make any payment of the grant for books, travel and other expenditure or the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs before they have received a declaration under regulation 77 unless an exception applies.

6

An exception applies if—

a

a grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs is payable in which case that particular grant may be paid before the Welsh Ministers have received a declaration;

b

the Welsh Ministers have determined that owing to exceptional circumstances it would be appropriate to make a payment without receiving a declaration.

Overpayments84

1

Any overpayment of a grant in respect of fees is recoverable by the Welsh Ministers from the academic authority.

2

An eligible distance learning student must, if so required by the Welsh Ministers, repay any amount paid to him or her under this Part which for whatever reason exceeds the amount of grant to which he or she is entitled under this Part.

3

The Welsh Ministers must recover an overpayment of grant for books, travel and other expenditure and grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs unless they consider that it is not appropriate to do so.

4

The methods of recovery are—

a

subtracting the overpayment from any kind of grant payable to the student from time to time pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

taking such other action for the recovery of an overpayment as is available to the Welsh Ministers.

5

A payment of the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs made before the relevant date is an overpayment if the student withdraws from the course before the relevant date unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

6

In this regulation, the “relevant date” (“dyddiad perthnasol”) is the date on which the first term of the academic year in question actually begins.

7

In the circumstances set out in paragraph (8) or (9), there is an overpayment of the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

8

The circumstances are—

a

the Welsh Ministers apply all or part of the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs to the purchase of specialist equipment on behalf of the eligible distance learning student;

b

the student’s period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

c

the equipment has not been delivered to the student before the period of eligibility terminated.

9

The circumstances are—

a

the eligible distance learning student’s period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

b

a payment of the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs in respect of specialist equipment is made to the student after the period of eligibility terminated.

10

Where there is an overpayment of the grant for disabled distance learning students' living costs, the Welsh Ministers may accept the return of specialist equipment purchased with the grant by way of recovery of all or part of the overpayment if they consider it is appropriate to do so.

PART 12SUPPORT FOR PART-TIME COURSES

Eligible part-time students85

1

An eligible part-time student qualifies for support in connection with his or her undertaking a designated part-time course subject to and in accordance with this Part.

2

A person is an eligible part-time student in connection with a designated part-time course if—

a

in assessing his or her application for support the Welsh Ministers determine that the person falls within one of the categories set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1; and

b

the person is not excluded by paragraph (3).

3

A person is not an eligible part-time student if—

a

there has been bestowed on that person or paid to that person in relation to his or her undertaking the part-time course—

i

a healthcare bursary whether or not the amount of such bursary is calculated by reference to the person’s income;

ii

any allowance under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2007; or

iii

a Scottish healthcare allowance whether or not the amount of such allowance is calculated by reference to that person’s income;

b

that person is in breach of any obligation to repay any loan;

c

that person has reached the age of 18 and has not ratified any agreement for a loan made with him or her when he or she was under the age of 18;

d

that person has, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support; or

e

subject to paragraph (4), he or she is a prisoner.

4

Paragraph (3)(e) does not apply in respect of an academic year during which the student enters prison or is released from prison.

5

For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(b) and (3)(c), “loan” (“benthyciad”) means a loan made under the student loans legislation.

6

In a case where the agreement for a loan is subject to the law of Scotland, paragraph (3)(c) only applies if the agreement was made—

a

before 25 September 1991; and

b

with the concurrence of the borrower’s curator or at a time when he or she had no curator.

7

Subject to paragraphs (10) to (12), a person is an eligible part-time student for the purposes of this Part if he or she satisfies the conditions in paragraphs (8) or (9).

8

The conditions in this paragraph are—

a

he or she qualified as an eligible part-time student in connection with an earlier academic year of the present designated part-time course pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the present designated part-time course; and

c

the person’s status as an eligible part-time student has not terminated.

9

The conditions in this paragraph are—

a

the Welsh Ministers have previously determined that the person is—

i

an eligible student in connection with a designated course;

ii

an eligible part-time student in connection with a designated part-time course other than the present designated part-time course; or

iii

an eligible distance learning student in connection with a designated distance learning course;

b

the person’s status as an eligible student, an eligible distance learning student or as an eligible part-time student in connection with the course referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has been converted or transferred from that course to the present designated part-time course as a result of one or more conversions or transfers in accordance with regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

c

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the course referred to in sub-paragraph (a); and

d

the person’s status as an eligible part-time student has not terminated.

10

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers determined that, by virtue of being a refugee or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a refugee, a person (“A”) was an eligible part-time student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present part-time course or an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated distance learning course or other designated part-time course from which his or her status as an eligible part-time student, eligible student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the present part-time course; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the refugee status of A or of his or her spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent, as the case may be, has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

A’s status as an eligible part-time student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

11

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers determined that, by virtue of being a person with leave to enter or remain or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was an eligible part-time student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present part-time course or an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated distance learning course or other designated part-time course from which his or her status as an eligible part-time student, eligible student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the present part-time course; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person with leave to enter or remain is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

A’s status as an eligible part-time student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

12

Paragraphs (10) and (11) do not apply where the student started the course in connection with which the Welsh Ministers determined that he or she was an eligible part-time student or eligible student, as the case may be, before 1 September 2007.

13

An eligible part-time student does not qualify for support under regulation 88(1)(b), regulation 89 or regulations 90 to 99 if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which he or she falls is paragraph 9.

14

An eligible part-time student qualifies for support—

a

under regulation 88(1)(a) if the Welsh Ministers consider that he or she is undertaking the designated part-time course in Wales; or

b

under regulations 88(1)(b), 89 or 90 to 99 if the Welsh Ministers consider that he or she is undertaking the designated part-time course in the United Kingdom.

15

An eligible part-time student does not qualify for support under regulation 88 or regulations 90 to 99 if he or she has undertaken one or more part-time courses for eight academic years in aggregate and he or she has received in respect of each of those academic years a loan or a grant of the kind described in paragraph (16).

16

The loans and grants referred to in paragraph (15) are—

a

a loan, a grant in respect of fees or a grant for books, travel and other expenditure each made in respect of an academic year of a part-time course pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the Act;

b

a loan, a grant in respect of fees or a grant for books, travel and other expenditure each made in respect of an academic year of a part-time course by the Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland) pursuant to regulations made under Articles 3 and 8(4) of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998; or

c

a loan in respect of an academic year of a part-time course made pursuant to regulations made under sections 73(f), 73B and 74(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

17

Subject to paragraphs (18) and (19), an eligible part-time student does not qualify for support under regulation 88 or regulations 90 to 99 if he or she holds a first degree from an educational institution in the United Kingdom.

18

For the purposes of paragraph (17), a degree is not to be treated as a first degree where—

a

it is a degree (other than an honours degree) that has been awarded to the eligible part-time student who has completed the required modules, examinations or other forms of assessment for his or her first degree course; and

b

that student is undertaking the present designated part-time course so as to obtain an honours degree on completion of the required modules, examinations or other forms of assessment (whether or not that student continues the course at the same institution after the award of the degree referred to in sub-paragraph (a)).

19

Paragraph (17) does not prevent an eligible part-time student from qualifying for support under regulation 88 or regulations 90 to 99 if—

a

the present designated part-time course is a course for the initial training of teachers which started on or after 1 September 2010;

b

the duration of that course does not exceed four years; and

c

the student is not a qualified teacher.

20

Where one of the events listed in paragraph (23) occurs in the course of an academic year–

a

a student may qualify for a grant in respect of fees in respect of that academic year in accordance with this Part provided that the relevant event occurred within the first three months of the academic year; and

b

a grant in respect of fees is not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

21

Where one of the events listed in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of paragraph (23) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for part-time grants for dependants in accordance with this Part in respect of all or part of that academic year but he or she does not qualify for a grant in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

22

Where one of the events listed in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (e), (f), (g) (h) or (i) of paragraph (23) occurs in the course of an academic year–

a

a student may qualify for a grant for books, travel and other expenditure or for a grant for disabled part-time students' living costs (or both) in respect of that academic year in accordance with this Part; and

b

neither a grant for books, travel and other expenditure is available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

23

The events are—

a

the student’s course becomes a designated part-time course;

b

the student, his or her spouse, his or her civil partner or his or her parent is recognised as a refugee or becomes a person with leave to enter or remain;

c

a state accedes to the European Community where the student is a national of that state or a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 1) of a national of that state;

d

the student becomes a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 1) of an EC national;

e

the state of which the student is a national accedes to the European Community where the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year-period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course;

f

the student acquires the right of permanent residence;

g

the student becomes the child of a Turkish worker;

h

the student becomes a person described in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1; or

i

the student becomes the child of a Swiss national.

24

An eligible part-time student may not, at any one time, qualify for support for—

a

more than one designated part-time course;

b

a designated part-time course and a designated course;

c

a designated part-time course and a designated distance learning course;

d

a designated part-time course and a designated postgraduate course.

Designated part-time courses86

1

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a part-time course is designated for the purposes of section 22(1) of the Act and regulation 85 if—

a

it is a course mentioned in Schedule 2 other than a course for the initial training of teachers which—

i

began before 1 September 2010;

ii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 where the student transfers to the present course pursuant to regulation 8 from a course for the initial training of teachers which began before 1 September 2010; or

iii

begins on or after 1 September 2010 but before 1 September 2011 and in relation to which the student is a 2010 gap year student;

b

it is of at least one academic year’s duration;

c

it is ordinarily possible to complete the course in not more than twice the period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent;

d

it is wholly provided by a publicly-funded educational institution or institutions in the United Kingdom or is provided by such institution or institutions in conjunction with an institution or institutions outside the United Kingdom;

e

it is not designated by or under regulation 5; and

f

it is not designated by or under regulation 70.

2

A course falling within paragraph 7 or 8 of Schedule 2 is not a designated part-time course where the governing body of a maintained school has arranged for the provision of such a course to a pupil of the school.

3

A course that is taken as part of an employment -based teacher training scheme is not a designated part-time course.

4

For the purposes of paragraph (1)—

a

a course is provided by an institution if it provides the teaching and supervision which comprise the course, whether or not the institution has entered into an agreement with the student to provide the course;

b

a university and any constituent college or institution in the nature of a college of a university is regarded as publicly funded if either the university or the constituent college or institution is publicly funded; and

c

an institution is not regarded as publicly funded by reason only that it receives public funds from the governing body of a higher education institution in accordance with section 65(3A) of the Further and Higher Education Act 199277.

5

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c)—

a

“full-time equivalent” (“cwrs amser-llawn cyfatebol”) means a full-time course leading to the same qualification as the part-time course in question;

b

the “period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent” (“cyfnod y mae ei angen fel arfer i gwblhau'r cwrs amser-llawn cyfatebol”) means—

i

where the course is provided by or on behalf of the Open University, the period that a standard full-time student would require to complete the full-time equivalent if he or she were awarded 120 credit points in each academic year;

ii

where the course is provided by or on behalf of any other institution, the period in which a standard full-time student would complete the full-time equivalent;

c

“standard full-time student” (“myfyriwr amser-llawn safonol”) is a student who is to be taken—

i

to have started the full-time equivalent on the same date as the eligible part-time student started the part-time course in question;

ii

not to have been excused any part of the full-time equivalent;

iii

not to have repeated any part of the full-time equivalent; and

iv

not to have been absent from the full-time equivalent other than during vacations.

6

For the purposes of section 22 of the Act and regulation 85(1) the Welsh Ministers may designate courses of higher education which are not designated by paragraph (1).

Period of eligibility87

1

A student retains his or her status as an eligible part-time student in connection with a designated part-time course until the status terminates in accordance with this regulation and regulation 85.

2

The period for which an eligible part-time student retains his or her status is the “period of eligibility” (“cyfnod cymhwystra”).

3

Subject to the following paragraphs and regulation 85, the period of eligibility terminates at the end of the academic year in which the eligible part-time student completes his or her designated part-time course.

4

The period of eligibility terminates when the eligible part-time student—

a

withdraws from his or her designated part-time course in circumstances where the Welsh Ministers have not transferred or converted or will not transfer or convert his or her status under regulation 103 or 104; or

b

abandons or is expelled from his or her designated part-time course.

5

The period of eligibility terminates at the end of the relevant academic year where the eligible part-time student cannot complete the designated part-time course within the period specified in regulation 86(1)(c).

6

For the purposes of paragraph (5) “relevant academic year” (“blwyddyn academaidd berthnasol”) means the academic year during or at the end of which it becomes impossible for the student to complete the course within the period specified in regulation 86(1) (c) even if he or she increases his or her intensity of study.

7

The Welsh Ministers may terminate the period of eligibility where the eligible part-time student has shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support.

8

If the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible part-time student has failed to comply with any requirement to provide information under this Part or has provided information which is inaccurate in a material particular, the Welsh Ministers may take such of the following actions as they consider appropriate in the circumstances–

a

terminate the period of eligibility;

b

determine that the student no longer qualifies for any particular support or particular amount of support;

c

treat any support paid to the student as an overpayment which may be recovered under regulation 108.

9

Where the period of eligibility terminates—

a

before the end of the academic year in which the eligible part-time student completes the designated part-time course; and

b

otherwise than under paragraph (5),

the Welsh Ministers may, at any time, renew, or extend the period of eligibility for such period as they determine.

Support for part-time courses88

1

For the purposes of this regulation, the support available is—

a

a grant in respect of fees not exceeding the lesser of the following amounts—

i

the basic grant, and

ii

the “actual fees” (“ffioedd gwirioneddol”), being the amount of fees charged in respect of an academic year of the designated part-time course; and

b

a grant not exceeding £1,095 for books, travel and other expenditure in connection with the designated part-time course.

2

The basic grant varies according to the intensity of study.

  • The intensity of study is calculated as follows and expressed as a percentage

    PTFT×100math

    where—

    • PT is the number of modules, credits, credit points, points or other unit to be awarded to the eligible part-time student by the academic authority if he or she successfully completes the academic year in connection with which he or she is applying for support;

    • FT is—

      1. a

        where the course is provided by or on behalf of the Open University, 120;

      2. b

        where the course is provided by or on behalf of any other institution, the number of modules, credits, credit points, points or other unit that a standard full-time student would be required to obtain in each academic year in order to complete the full-time equivalent within the period ordinarily required to complete that course.

3

For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

a

“full-time equivalent” (“cwrs amser-llawn cyfatebol”) and “standard full-time student” (“myfyriwr amser-llawn safonol”) are to be interpreted in accordance with regulation 86; and

b

“the period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent” (“cyfnod y mae ei angen fel arfer i gwblhau'r cwrs amser-llawn cyfatebol”) is to be calculated in accordance with regulation 86.

4

The “basic grant” (“grant sylfaenol”) is—

a

£650 where the intensity of study is less than 60 per cent. (“level 1”);

b

£780 where the intensity of study is 60 per cent. or more but less than 75 per cent. (“level 2”);

c

£975 where the intensity of study is 75 per cent. or more (“level 3”).

5

Subject to paragraph (6) and regulation 103(6), the amount of support payable in respect of an academic year is as follows—

a

if at the date of his or her application the eligible part-time student or his or her partner is entitled—

i

under Part VII of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 to income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit;

ii

under Part 1 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 to income-based jobseekers allowance or under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973 to an allowance under the arrangements known as the New Deal; or

iii

under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 to an income-related employment and support allowance;

the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 88(1) is payable;

b

where the relevant income is less than £16,865, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1) is payable;

c

where the relevant income is £16,865, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(b) is payable together with £50 less than the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(a);

d

where the relevant income exceeds £16,865 but is less than £25,435, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(b) is payable and the amount of support payable under regulation 88(1)(a) is the amount determined in accordance with paragraph (6);

e

where the relevant income is £25,435, the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(b) is payable and the amount of assistance payable under regulation 88(1)(a) is £50;

f

where the relevant income exceeds £25,435 but is less than £26,095 the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(b) is payable and no support is payable under regulation 88(1)(a);

g

where the relevant income is £26,095 or more but less than £28,180 no support is available under regulation 88(1)(a) and the amount of support payable under regulation 88(1)(b) is the amount left after deducting from the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(b) £1 for every complete £1.995 by which the relevant income exceeds £26,095;

h

where the relevant income is £28,180 no support is payable under regulation 88(1)(a) and the amount of support payable under regulation 88(1)(b) is £50;

i

where the relevant income exceeds £28,180 no support is payable under regulation 88(1).

6

Where paragraph (5)(d) applies, the amount of support payable under regulation 88(1)(a) is determined by deducting from the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(a) one of the following amounts—

a

£50 plus a further £1 for each complete £15.58, £12.60 and £9.79 by which the relevant income exceeds £16,865 according to whether the intensity of study is level 1, 2 or 3, respectively; or

b

where the basic grant is greater than the actual fees, an amount equal to that left after deducting from the amount calculated under sub-paragraph (a) the difference between the basic grant and the actual fees (unless the amount is a negative number in which case the maximum amount of support available under regulation 88(1)(a) is payable).

7

For the purposes of this regulation—

a

“child” (“plentyn”) in relation to an eligible part-time student includes any child of his or her partner and any child for whom he or she has parental responsibility;

b

“current financial year” (“y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol”) means the financial year which includes the first day of the academic year in respect of which a person is being assessed for support;

c

“dependent” (“dibynnol”) means wholly or mainly financially dependent;

d

“financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol”) means the period of twelve months for which the income of the eligible part-time student is computed for the purposes of the income tax legislation which applies to it;

e

“income” (“incwm”) means gross income from all sources excluding—

i

any payment made under section 23C(5A) of the Children Act 1989; and

ii

any tax credits awarded pursuant to any claims under section 3 of the Tax Credits Act 2002;

f

subject to sub-paragraph (g), “partner” (“partner”) means any of the following–

i

the spouse of an eligible part-time student;

ii

the civil partner of an eligible part-time student;

iii

a person ordinarily living with an eligible part-time student as if he or she were his or her spouse where an eligible part-time student is aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is being assessed for support and where he or she began the specified designated part-time course before 1 September 2005;

iv

a person ordinarily living with an eligible part-time student as if he or she were his or her spouse or civil partner where an eligible part-time student begins the specified designated part-time course on or after 1 September 2005;

g

a person who would otherwise be a partner under sub-paragraph (f) is not treated as a partner if—

i

in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, that person and the eligible part-time student are separated; or

ii

the person is ordinarily living outside the United Kingdom and is not maintained by the eligible part-time student;

h

“preceding financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol flaenorol”) means the financial year immediately preceding the current financial year;

i

“relevant income” (“incwm perthnasol”) has the meaning given in paragraph (8).

8

Subject to paragraph (9), an eligible part-time student’s relevant income is equal to his or her financial resources in the preceding financial year less–

i

£2,000 in respect of his or her partner;

ii

£2,000 in respect of the only or eldest child who is dependent on the student or his or her partner; and

iii

£1,000 in respect of each other child who is dependent on the student or his or her partner.

9

Where the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible part-time student’s financial resources in the preceding financial year are greater than his or her financial resources in the current financial year and that the difference between the two amounts is £1,000 or more, they must assess that student’s financial resources by reference to those resources in the current financial year.

10

In this regulation, an eligible part-time student’s financial resources in a financial year means the aggregate of his or her income for that year together with the aggregate of the income for that year of any person who at the date of the application for support is the student’s partner.

11

In this regulation “specified designated part-time course” (“cwrs rhan-amser dynodedig a bennir”) means the course in respect of which the person is applying for support or, where the student’s status as an eligible part-time student has been transferred to the present designated part-time course as a result of one or more transfers of that status by the Welsh Ministers from a part-time course (the “initial course”) in connection with which the Welsh Ministers determined the student to be an eligible part-time student pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the Act, the specified designated part-time course is the initial course.

Grants for disabled part-time students' living costs89

1

An eligible part-time student qualifies in accordance with this Part for a grant for disabled part-time students' living costs to assist with the additional expenditure which the Welsh Ministers are satisfied the student is obliged to incur by reason of a disability to which he or she is subject in respect of his or her undertaking a designated part-time course.

2

Subject to the following paragraphs, the amount of grant under this regulation is the amount that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate.

3

The amount of the grant must not exceed–

a

£15,390 in respect of an academic year for expenditure on a non-medical personal helper;

b

£5,166 in respect of all the academic years during the period of eligibility for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment;

c

the additional expenditure incurred—

i

within the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending the institution;

ii

within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending, as a part of his or her course, any period of study at an overseas institution or for the purpose of attending the Institute;

d

£1,293 in respect of an academic year for any other expenditure including expenditure incurred for the purposes referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) which exceeds the specified maxima.

Part-time grants for dependants — general

90

1

An eligible part-time student qualifies for part-time grants for dependants provided that–

a

the part-time student is not excluded from qualification by any of the following paragraphs, regulation 85 or regulation 87; and

b

the part-time student satisfies the qualifying conditions for the particular grant for which he or she is applying.

2

An eligible part-time student does not qualify for part-time grants for dependants if the student is a prisoner.

91

1

The part-time grants for dependants consist of the following elements—

a

part-time adult dependants' grant;

b

part-time childcare grant;

c

part-time parents' learning allowance.

2

The qualifying conditions for each element are set out in regulations 92 to 99 and the amounts payable in respect of each element are determined in accordance with those regulations.

3

A deduction may be made from any element of the part-time grants for dependants in accordance with regulations 97 and 98.

Part-time adult dependants' grant92

1

An eligible part-time student qualifies for a part-time adult dependants' grant in connection with his or her attendance on a designated part-time course in accordance with this regulation.

2

The part-time adult dependants' grant is available in respect of one dependant of an eligible part-time student who is either—

a

the eligible part-time student’s partner; or

b

an adult dependant of the eligible part-time student whose net income does not exceed £3,801.

3

The amount of part-time adult dependants' grant payable in respect of an academic year is calculated in accordance with regulations 95 and 97 to 99, the basic amount being—

a

£2,647; or

b

where the person in respect of whom the eligible part-time student is applying for part-time adult dependants' grant is ordinarily resident outside the United Kingdom, such amount not exceeding £2,647 as the Welsh Ministers consider reasonable in the circumstances.

Part-time childcare grant93

1

An eligible part-time student qualifies, in connection with his or her attendance on a designated part-time course, for a part-time childcare grant in accordance with this regulation.

2

Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the part-time childcare grant is available in respect of an academic year in which the student incurs prescribed childcare charges for–

a

a dependent child who is under the age of 15 immediately before the beginning of the academic year; or

b

a dependent child who has special educational needs within the meaning of section 312 of the Education Act 199678 and is under the age of 17 immediately before the beginning of the academic year.

3

An eligible part-time student does not qualify for a grant under this regulation if the student or the student’s partner has elected to receive the childcare element of the working tax credit under Part I of the Tax Credits Act 200279.

4

An eligible part-time student does not qualify for a grant under this regulation if the prescribed childcare charges that he or she incurs are paid or to be paid by the student to his or her partner.

5

Subject to paragraph (6), regulation 95 and regulations 97 to 99, the basic amount of childcare grant for each week is—

a

for one dependent child, 85 per cent. of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £161.50 per week; or

b

for two or more dependent children, 85 per cent. of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £ 274.55 per week,

except that the student does not qualify for any such grant in respect of each week falling within the period between the end of the course and the end of the academic year in which the course ends.

6

For the purposes of calculating the basic amount of part-time childcare grant—

a

a week runs from Monday to Sunday; and

b

where a week in respect of which prescribed childcare charges are incurred falls partly within and partly outside the academic year in respect of which part-time childcare grant is payable under this regulation, the maximum weekly amount of grant is calculated by multiplying the relevant maximum weekly amount in paragraph (5) by the number of days of that week falling within the academic year and dividing the product by seven.

7

In this regulation “prescribed childcare charges” (“costau rhagnodedig ar gyfer gofal plant”) means childcare charges of a description prescribed for the purposes of section 12 of the Tax Credits Act 200280.

Part-time parents' learning allowance94

1

An eligible part-time student qualifies in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated part-time course for the part-time parents' learning allowance if the student has one or more dependants who are dependent children.

2

The amount of part-time parents' learning allowance payable in respect of an academic year is calculated in accordance with regulations 95 and 97 to 99, the basic amount being £1,508.

Part-time grants for dependants — initial calculations95

1

Subject to the following paragraphs and regulations 97 to 99, the amount payable in respect of a particular element of the part-time grants for dependants for which the eligible part-time student qualifies is the amount of that element remaining after applying, until it is extinguished, an amount equal to (A − B) as follows and in the following order–

a

to reduce the basic amount of the part-time adult dependants' grant where the eligible part-time student qualifies for that element under regulation 92;

b

to reduce the basic amount of the part-time childcare grant for the academic year where the eligible part-time student qualifies for that element under regulation 93; and

c

to reduce the basic amount of the part-time parents' learning allowance where the eligible part-time student qualifies for that element under regulation 94.

2

Subject to paragraphs (4), (5) and (13), where B is greater than or equal to A, the basic amount of each element of the part-time grants for dependants for which the eligible part-time student qualifies is payable.

3

Where (A − B) is equal to or exceeds the aggregate of the basic amounts of the elements of the part-time grants for dependants for which the eligible part-time student qualifies, the amount payable in respect of each element is nil.

4

The amount of the part-time adult dependants' grant calculated under paragraph (1) in respect of an adult dependant is reduced by one half where—

a

the eligible part-time student’s partner–

i

is an eligible part-time student; or

ii

holds a statutory award; and

b

account is taken of that partner’s dependants in calculating the amount of support for which that partner qualifies or the payment to which he or she is entitled under the statutory award.

5

The amount of the part-time childcare grant calculated under paragraph (1) is reduced by one half where—

a

the eligible part-time student’s partner—

i

is an eligible part-time student; or

ii

holds a statutory award; and

b

account is taken of that partner’s dependants in calculating the amount of support for which that partner qualifies or the payment to which he or she is entitled under the statutory award.

6

Where the amount of the part-time parents' learning allowance calculated under paragraph (1) is £0.01 or more but less than £50, the amount of part-time parents' learning allowance payable is £50.

7

In this regulation—

  • A is the aggregate of the net income of each of the eligible part-time student’s dependants; and

  • B is—

    1. a

      £1,159 where the eligible part-time student has no dependent child;

    2. b

      £3,473 where the eligible part-time student is not a lone parent and has one dependent child;

    3. c

      £4,632 where the eligible part-time student—

      1. i

        is not a lone parent and has more than one dependent child; or

      2. ii

        is a lone parent and has one dependent child;

    4. d

      £5,797 where the eligible part-time student is a lone parent and has more than one dependent child.

8

Paragraphs (9) to (12) apply where, in the course of the academic year, any of the following occurs–

a

there is a change in the number of the eligible part-time student’s dependants;

b

a person becomes or ceases to be a dependant of the eligible part-time student;

c

the eligible part-time student becomes or ceases to be a lone parent;

d

a student becomes an eligible part-time student as a result of an event referred to in regulation 85(23)(a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i).

9

For the purposes of determining the respective values of A and B and whether part-time adult dependants' grant or part-time parents' learning allowance is payable, the Welsh Ministers must determine the following in relation to each relevant quarter by reference to the student’s circumstances in the relevant quarter—

a

how many dependants the eligible part-time student is to be treated as having;

b

who those dependants are;

c

whether the student is to be treated as a lone parent.

10

The amount of part-time grants for dependants for the academic year is the aggregate of the amounts of part-time adult dependants' grant and part-time parents' learning allowance calculated in respect of each relevant quarter under paragraph (11) and the amount of any part-time childcare grant for the academic year.

11

The amount of part-time adult dependants' grant and part-time parents' learning allowance in respect of a relevant quarter is one third of what that grant or allowance would be for the academic year if the student’s circumstances in the relevant quarter as determined under paragraph (9) applied for the duration of the academic year.

12

In this regulation, a “relevant quarter” (“chwarter perthnasol”) means—

a

in the case of a person referred to in paragraph (8)(d), a quarter which begins after the relevant event occurs other than a quarter during which, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, the longest of any vacation occurs;

b

otherwise, a quarter other than the one quarter during which, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, the longest of any vacation occurs.

13

A deduction may be made in accordance with regulations 97 and 98 from the amount payable in respect of a particular element of the part-time grants for dependants calculated under this Part.

Part-time grants for dependants — interpretation96

1

In regulations 92 to 95—

a

subject to sub-paragraph (n), “adult dependant” (“dibynnydd mewn oed”) means, in relation to an eligible part-time student, an adult person dependent on the student other than the student’s child, the student’s partner (including a spouse or civil partner from whom the Welsh Ministers consider the student is separated) or his or her former partner;

b

“child” (“plentyn”) in relation to an eligible part-time student includes any child of the student’s partner who is dependent on him or her and any child for whom the student has parental responsibility who is dependent on him or her;

c

“dependant” (“dibynnydd”) means, in relation to an eligible part-time student, the student’s partner, the student’s dependent child or an adult dependant, who in each case is not an eligible student and does not hold a statutory award;

d

“dependent” (“dibynnol”) means wholly or mainly financially dependent;

e

“dependent child” (“plentyn dibynnol”) means, in relation to an eligible part-time student, a child dependent on the student;

f

“lone parent” (“rhiant unigol”) means an eligible part-time student who does not have a partner and who has a dependent child or dependent children;

g

“net income” (“incwm net”) has the meaning given in paragraph (2);

h

subject to sub-paragraphs (i), (j), (k), (l) and (m), “partner” (“partner”) means any of the following—

i

the spouse of an eligible part-time student;

ii

the civil partner of an eligible part-time student;

iii

a person ordinarily living with an eligible part-time student as if he or she were his or her spouse where an eligible part-time student is aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year in respect of which household income falls to be assessed for the purposes of Schedule 6 and began the designated part-time course on or after 1 September 2000;

iv

a person ordinarily living with an eligible part-time student as if he or she were the student’s civil partner where an eligible part-time student is aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year in respect of which household income falls to be assessed for the purposes of Schedule 6 and began the designated part-time course on or after 1 September 2005;

i

unless otherwise indicated, a person who would otherwise be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) is not treated as a partner if—

i

in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, that person and the eligible part-time student are separated; or

ii

the person is ordinarily living outside the United Kingdom and is not maintained by the eligible part-time student;

j

for the purposes of the definition of “adult dependant” (“dibynnydd mewn oed”), a person is to be treated as a partner if the person would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the fact that the eligible part-time student with whom the person is ordinarily living is not aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year in respect of which household income falls to be assessed for the purposes of Schedule 6;

k

for the purposes of the definitions of “child” (“plentyn”) and “lone parent” (“rhiant unigol”), a person is to be treated as a partner if the person would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the date on which the eligible part-time student began the specified designated part-time course or the fact that the eligible part-time student with whom the person is ordinarily living is not aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year in respect of which household income falls to be assessed for the purposes of Schedule 6;

l

for the purposes of regulation 93—

i

sub-paragraph (i) does not apply; and

ii

a person is to be treated as a partner if he or she would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the fact that the eligible part-time student with whom he or she is ordinarily living is not aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year in respect of which household income falls to be assessed for the purposes of Schedule 6;

m

for the purposes of determining whether a person is the former partner of an eligible part-time student’s partner, “partner” (“partner”) in relation to an eligible part-time student’s partner means—

i

the spouse of an eligible part-time student’s partner;

ii

the civil partner of an eligible part-time student’s partner;

iii

where the eligible part-time student began the specified designated part-time course on or after 1 September 2000, a person ordinarily living with an eligible part-time student’s partner as if he or she were his or her spouse;

iv

where the eligible part-time student began the specified designated part-time course on or after 1 September 2005, a person ordinarily living with an eligible part-time student’s partner as if he or she were his or her civil partner;

n

subject to sub-paragraph (o), for the purposes of the definitions of “adult dependant” (“dibynnydd mewn oed”) and “dependent child (“plentyn dibynnol”), the Welsh Ministers may treat an adult person or child as dependent on an eligible part-time student if they are satisfied that the adult person or child—

i

is not dependent on—

aa

the eligible part-time student; or

bb

his or her partner; but

ii

is dependent on the eligible part-time student and his or her partner together;

o

the Welsh Ministers must not treat an adult person (“A”) as dependent on an eligible part-time student in accordance with sub-paragraph (n), if A is—

i

the spouse or civil partner of the eligible part-time student’s partner (including a spouse or civil partner from whom the Welsh Ministers consider the eligible part-time student’s partner is separated); or

ii

the former partner of the eligible part-time student’s partner.

2

Subject to paragraph (3), a dependant’s net income is the dependant’s income from all sources for the academic year in question reduced by the amount of income tax and social security contributions payable in respect of it but disregarding–

a

any pension, allowance or other benefit paid by reason of a disability or incapacity to which the dependant is subject;

b

child benefit payable under Part IX of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 199281;

c

any financial support payable to the dependant by a local authority in accordance with regulations made under sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Adoption and Children Act 200282;

d

any guardian’s allowance to which the dependant is entitled under section 77 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992;

e

in the case of a dependant with whom a child being looked after by a local authority is boarded out, any payment made to that dependant in pursuance of section 23 of the Children Act 198983;

f

any payment made to the dependant under section 23C(5A) of the Children Act 1989;

g

any payments made to the dependant under section 15 of and Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 in respect of a person who is not the dependant’s child or any assistance given by a local authority pursuant to section 24 of that Act84; and

h

any child tax credit to which the dependant is entitled under Part I of the Tax Credits Act 200285.

3

Where an eligible part-time student or the student’s partner makes any recurrent payments which were previously made by the student in pursuance of an obligation incurred before the first academic year of the student’s course, the partner’s net income is the net income calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) reduced by—

a

an amount equal to the payments in question for the academic year, if in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, the obligation had been reasonably incurred; or

b

such lesser amount, if any, as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate if, in their opinion, a lesser obligation could reasonably have been incurred.

4

For the purposes of paragraph (2), where the dependant is a dependent child and payments are made to the eligible part-time student towards the child’s maintenance, those payments are to be treated as the child’s income.

Part-time grants for dependants — calculation of contribution97

1

An eligible part-time student’s contributions in respect of an academic year and part-time dependants' grants payable in respect of that year is the amount, if any, calculated under Schedule 6.

2

For the purposes of the exercise of the Welsh Ministers' functions under the Act and regulations made under it, the Welsh Ministers may require an eligible part-time student to provide from time to time such information as they consider necessary as to the income of any person whose means are relevant to the assessment of the student’s contribution.

Part-time grants for dependants — application of contribution98

1

An amount equal to the contribution or the remainder of the contribution, as the case may be, calculated under Schedule 6, is to be applied until it is extinguished against the amount of the particular element of part-time grants for dependants for which the eligible part-time student qualifies as follows–

a

first, to reduce PTADG;

b

second, to reduce PTCCG;

c

third, to reduce PTPLA.

2

In this regulation—

a

PTADG is the amount, if any, of the part-time adult dependants' grant calculated in accordance with regulation 95;

b

PTCCG is the amount, if any, of the part-time childcare grant calculated in accordance with regulation 95;

c

PTPLA is the amount, if any, of the part-time parents' learning allowance calculated in accordance with regulation 95 (except the first £50 of the allowance).

Part-time grants for dependants — final calculation99

1

The amount payable in respect of a particular element of the part-time grants for dependants is determined in accordance with this regulation.

2

The amount payable varies according to the intensity of study.

  • The intensity of study is calculated as follows and expressed as a percentage

    PTFT×100math

    where

    • PT and FT have the meanings given by regulation 88(2) and (3).

3

In the case of part-time adult dependants' grant, where the intensity of study is—

a

50 per cent. or more but less than 60 per cent., the amount payable is equal to 50 per cent. of the resulting amount;

b

60 per cent. or more but less than 75 per cent., the amount payable is equal to 60 per cent. of the resulting amount;

c

75 per cent. or more, the amount payable is equal to 75 per cent. of the resulting amount.

4

For the purposes of paragraph (3), “the resulting amount” (“y swm sy'n deillio o hyn”) means the amount of part-time adult dependants' grant determined in accordance with regulation 95 with deductions (if any) having been applied in accordance with regulation 98.

5

In the case of part-time childcare grant, where the intensity of study is—

a

50 per cent. or more but less than 60 per cent., the amount payable is equal to 50 per cent. of the resulting amount;

b

60 per cent. or more but less than 75 per cent., the amount payable is equal to 60 per cent. of the resulting amount;

c

75 per cent. or more, the amount payable is equal to 75 per cent. of the resulting amount.

6

For the purposes of paragraph (5), “the resulting amount” (“y swm sy'n deillio o hyn”) means the amount of part-time childcare grant determined in accordance with regulation 95 with deductions (if any) having been applied in accordance with regulation 98.

7

In the case of part-time parents' learning allowance, where the intensity of study is—

a

50 per cent. or more, but less than 60 per cent., the amount payable is equal to 50 per cent. of the resulting amount;

b

60 per cent. or more but less than 75 per cent., the amount payable is equal to 60 per cent. of the resulting amount;

c

75 per cent. or more, the amount payable is equal to 75 per cent. of the resulting amount.

8

For the purposes of paragraph (7), “the resulting amount” (“y swm sy'n deillio o hyn”) means the amount of part-time parents' learning allowance determined in accordance with regulation 95 with deductions (if any) having been applied in accordance with regulation 98.

9

No element of part-time grants for dependants is payable where the intensity of study is less than 50 per cent.

Applications for support100

1

A person (the “applicant”) must apply for support in connection with each academic year of a designated part-time course by completing and submitting to the Welsh Ministers an application in such form as the Welsh Ministers may require.

2

The application must be accompanied by—

a

a declaration under regulation 102(2) to (6) completed by the academic authority; and

b

such additional documentation as the Welsh Ministers may require.

3

The general rule is that the application must reach the Welsh Ministers within a period of six months beginning with the first day of the academic year of the course in respect of which it is submitted.

4

The general rule does not apply where—

a

one of the events listed in regulation 85(23) occurs after the first day of the academic year in respect of which the applicant is applying for support, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers within a period of six months beginning with the day on which the event occurred;

b

the applicant is applying for a grant for disabled part-time students' living costs, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers as soon as is reasonably practicable; or

c

the Welsh Ministers consider that having regard to the circumstances of the particular case the time limit should be relaxed, in which case the application must reach the Welsh Ministers not later than such date as they specify.

5

The Welsh Ministers may take such steps and make such inquiries as they consider necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible part-time student, whether he or she qualifies for support and the amount of support payable, if any.

6

The Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant of whether or not he or she qualifies for support and, if the applicant does qualify, the amount of support payable in respect of the academic year, if any.

Assistance with fees in respect of attendance on a course in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland101

1

The Welsh Ministers may pay support to assist with fees to an eligible part-time student in connection with his or her attendance on a designated part-time course in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland.

2

The assistance paid under paragraph (1) must not exceed the lesser of—

a

the maximum amount of assistance that would have been payable to the eligible part-time student under regulation 88(1)(a) had he or she been undertaking the course in Wales; and

b

the maximum amount of support to assist with fees that in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers would have been payable to him or her according to whether he or she attends the designated part-time course in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland—

i

pursuant to regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 22 of the Act had he or she been ordinarily resident in England and undertaking the part-time course in England;

ii

pursuant to regulations made under Articles 3 and 8(4) of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 had he or she been ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland and undertaking the part-time course in Northern Ireland; or

iii

from funds of the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council86 had he or she been ordinarily resident in Scotland and undertaking the part-time course in Scotland.

Information and other matters102

1

Schedule 3 applies to the provision of information.

2

Subject to paragraph (3), the appropriate academic authority must, on the request of the applicant, complete a declaration in such form as may be required by the Welsh Ministers to accompany the application for support.

3

An academic authority is not required to complete a declaration if it is unable to give the confirmation required.

4

In this Part, “declaration” (“datganiad”) means–

a

where the applicant is applying for support in connection with the designated part-time course for the first time, a statement that—

i

provides the course information; and

ii

confirms that the applicant has undertaken at least two weeks of the designated part-time course;

b

in any other case, a statement that—

i

provides the course information; and

ii

confirms that the applicant has enrolled to undertake the academic year of the designated part-time course in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

5

In this regulation, “course information” (“gwbodaeth am y cwrs”) means—

a

the amount of fees being charged in respect of the academic year in respect of which the applicant is applying for support;

b

the intensity of study;

c

certification by the academic authority that it considers—

i

the course to be a designated part-time course;

ii

that it will be possible for the applicant to complete the course within the period specified in regulation 86(1)(c).

6

For the purposes of paragraph (5)(c)(ii) the academic authority must have regard for—

a

any increase in intensity of study that would be required for the applicant to complete the course within the period specified in regulation 86(1)(c);

b

any parts of the course which the applicant has been required to repeat.

Transfer of status103

1

Where an eligible part-time student transfers to another part-time course, the Welsh Ministers must transfer the student’s status as an eligible part-time student to that course where—

a

they receive a request from the eligible part-time student to do so;

b

they are satisfied that one or more of the grounds for transfer in paragraph (2) applies; and

c

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

2

The grounds for transfer are—

a

the eligible part-time student starts to undertake another designated part-time course at the institution;

b

the eligible part-time student starts to undertake a designated part-time course at another institution; or

c

after commencing a designated part-time course for a first degree (other than an honours degree) the eligible part-time student is, before the completion of that course, admitted to a designated part-time course for an honours degree in the same subject or subjects at the institution.

3

Subject to paragraph (4), an eligible part-time student who transfers under paragraph (1) is entitled, for the remainder of the academic year in which he or she transfers, to continue to receive in connection with the course to which he or she transfers the support for which the Welsh Ministers have determined he or she qualifies in respect of the course from which he or she transfers.

4

The Welsh Ministers may re-assess the amount of support payable after the transfer in accordance with this Part.

5

An eligible student who transfers under paragraph (1) after the Welsh Ministers have determined his or her support in connection with the academic year of the course from which he or she is transferring but before he or she completes that year may not apply for another grant under regulation 88(1)(b), regulation 89 or regulations 90 to 99 in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers.

6

Where a student transfers under paragraph (1), the maximum amount of assistance under regulation 88(1)(a) in respect of the academic years to and from which he or she transfers is the amount of assistance with fees available in connection with the course which has the highest intensity of study as defined in regulation 88.

Conversion of status104

1

Where an eligible student ceases to undertake a designated course and transfers to a designated part-time course at the same or at another institution, the Welsh Ministers must convert the student’s status as an eligible student to that of an eligible part-time student in connection with the course to which he or she is transferring where—

a

they receive a request from the eligible student to do so; and

b

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

2

Where, before completing the designated course, the student transfers to a part-time course in the same subject or subjects leading to the same qualification at the same institution, the part-time course is treated as satisfying regulation 86(1)(b) and (c) if the period of part-time study to be undertaken by the student is of at least one academic year’s duration and does not exceed twice the period normally required to complete the remainder of the designated course from which the student transfers.

3

The following applies to a student who transfers under paragraph (1)—

a

where the Welsh Ministers have determined to pay an amount of grant to the student under regulation 25 in periodic instalments, no payment in respect of that amount of grant may be made in respect of any instalment period beginning after the date on which the student became an eligible part-time student;

b

the maximum amount of grant to which the student would, apart from this regulation, be entitled pursuant to regulation 89 in connection with his or her undertaking a designated part-time course in respect of that academic year is reduced by one third where the student became an eligible part-time student during the second quarter of the academic year and by two thirds where he or she became such a student in a later quarter of that year;

c

where an amount of grant for any purpose has been paid to the student under regulation 25 in a single instalment, the maximum amount of grant payable to him or her pursuant to regulation 89 for that purpose is reduced (or, where sub-paragraph (b) applies, further reduced) by the amount of grant paid to him or her for that purpose pursuant to regulation 25, and where the resulting amount is nil or a negative amount that amount is nil;

d

where immediately before he or she became an eligible part-time student he or she was eligible to apply, but had not applied, for a loan for living costs in respect of that year, or had not applied for the maximum amount or increased maximum for which he or she was entitled, he or she may apply for such a loan or such additional amount of loan as if he or she had continued to be an eligible student and in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (4) the maximum or increased maximum amount of such loan for the academic year is reduced in accordance with that paragraph;

e

where the Welsh Ministers have determined to pay an amount of grant to the student under regulations 27 to 30 in periodic instalments, no payment in respect of that amount may be made in respect of any instalment period beginning after the date on which the student becomes an eligible part-time student;

f

the maximum amount of part-time grants for dependants to which the student would, apart from this regulation, be entitled pursuant to regulations 90 to 99 in connection with his or her undertaking a designated part-time course in respect of that academic year is reduced by one third where the student became an eligible part-time student during the second quarter of the academic year and by two thirds where he or she became such a student in a later quarter of that year; and

g

where an amount of grant has been paid to the student under regulations 27 to 30 in a single instalment, the maximum amount of grant payable to him or her pursuant to regulations 90 to 99 is reduced (or where sub-paragraph (f) applies, further reduced) by the amount of analogous grant paid to him or her pursuant to regulations 27 to 30, and where the resulting amount is nil or a negative amount that amount is nil.

4

Where the request under paragraph (1) is made during the first quarter of the academic year in respect of which the loan is payable the maximum amount or increased maximum amount of loan (as the case may be) is reduced by two thirds, and where the request is made during the second quarter of that year that amount is reduced by one third.

5

Where an eligible distance learning student ceases to undertake a designated distance learning course and transfers to a designated part-time course at the same or at another institution, the Welsh Ministers must convert that student’s status as an eligible distance learning student to that of an eligible part-time student in connection with the course to which he or she is transferring where—

a

they receive a request from the eligible distance learning student to do so; and

b

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

6

Where, before completing the designated distance learning course the student transfers to a part-time course in the same subject or subjects leading to the same qualification at the same institution, the part time course is to be treated as satisfying regulation 86(1)(b) and (c) if the period of part-time study to be undertaken by the student is of at least one academic year’s duration and does not exceed twice the period ordinarily required to complete the remainder of the designated distance learning course from which the student transfers.

7

Subject to paragraph (8), a student who transfers under paragraph (5) is entitled to receive in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers the remainder of the support for which the Welsh Ministers have determined he or she qualifies under Part 11 in respect of the academic year of the designated distance learning course from which he or she transfers.

8

The Welsh Ministers may re-assess the amount of support payable after the transfer.

9

An eligible student who transfers under paragraph (5) after the Welsh Ministers have determined his or her support in connection with the academic year of the distance learning course from which he or she is transferring but before he or she completes that year—

a

may not apply for a grant under regulation 88(1)(b) if he or she has already applied for a grant under regulation 72(1)(b);

b

may not apply for a grant under regulation 89 if he or she has already applied for a grant under regulation 75.

10

Where a student transfers under paragraph (5), the total amount of support paid to the student under regulation 72(1)(a) and 88(1)(a) in respect of—

a

the academic year from which he or she transfers; and

b

the academic year to which he or she transfers;

must not exceed the amount of support determined to be payable to the student under regulation 72(1) (a).

11

Where a student transfers under paragraph (5), the maximum amount of part-time grants for dependants to which the student would, apart from this regulation, be entitled pursuant to regulations 90 to 99 in connection with his or her undertaking a designated part-time course in respect of that academic year is reduced by one third where the student became an eligible part-time student during the second quarter of the academic year and by two thirds where he or she became such a student in a later quarter of that year.

12

Where an eligible part-time student ceases to undertake a designated part-time course and transfers to a designated course at the same or at another institution, the Welsh Ministers must convert that student’s status as an eligible part-time student to that of an eligible student in connection with the course to which he or she is transferring where–

a

they receive a request from the eligible part-time student to do so; and

b

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

13

The following applies to a student who transfers under paragraph (12)—

a

where the Welsh Ministers have determined to pay an amount of grant to the student pursuant to regulation 89 in periodic instalments no payment in respect of that amount of grant may be made in respect of any instalment period beginning after the date on which the student became an eligible student;

b

subject to sub-paragraphs (c) and (f), any support to which the student is entitled under this Part in respect of the academic year in which the student transfers is ignored in determining the amount of support to which he or she may be entitled in respect of that year under Parts 4 to 6;

c

where the Welsh Ministers have determined to pay an amount of any grant to the student pursuant to regulations 90 to 99 in periodic instalments, no payment in respect of that amount may be made in respect of any instalment period beginning after the date on which the student becomes an eligible student;

d

the maximum amount of any support under Parts 5 or 6 to which the student would, apart from this regulation, be entitled in connection with a designated course in respect of that academic year is reduced by one third where the student became an eligible student during the second quarter of that academic year and by two thirds where he or she became such a student in a later quarter of that year;

e

where an amount of grant for any purpose has been paid to the student pursuant to regulation 89 in a single instalment, the maximum amount of grant payable to him or her under regulation 25 for that purpose is reduced (or, where sub-paragraph (d) applies, further reduced) by the amount of grant paid to him or her for that purpose pursuant to regulation 89 and where the resulting amount is nil or a negative amount that amount is nil; and

f

where an amount of grant has been paid to the student pursuant to regulations 90 to 99 in a single instalment the maximum amount of the analogous grant payable to him or her pursuant to regulations 27 to 30 is reduced (or where sub-paragraph (d) applies, further reduced) by the amount of grant paid to him or her pursuant to regulations 90 to 99 and where the resulting amount is nil or a negative amount that amount is nil.

14

Where an eligible part-time student ceases to undertake a designated part-time course and transfers to a designated distance learning course at the same or at another institution, the Welsh Ministers must convert that student’s status as an eligible part-time student to that of an eligible distance learning student in connection with the course to which he or she is transferring where—

a

they receive a request from the eligible part-time student to do so; and

b

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

15

Subject to paragraph (16), a student who transfers under paragraph (14) is entitled to receive in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers the remainder of the support for which the Welsh Ministers have determined he or she qualifies under this Part in respect of the academic year of the designated part-time course from which he or she transfers.

16

The Welsh Ministers may re-assess the amount of support payable after the transfer.

17

An eligible student who transfers under paragraph (14) after the Welsh Ministers have determined his or her support in connection with the academic year of the distance learning course from which he or she is transferring but before he or she completes that year—

a

may not apply for a grant under regulation 72(1)(b) if he or she has already applied for a grant under regulation 88(1)(b);

b

may not apply for a grant under regulation 75 if he or she has already applied for a grant under regulation 89.

18

Where a student transfers under paragraph (14), the total amount of assistance paid to the student under regulations 72(1)(a) and 88(1)(a) in respect of—

a

the academic year from which he or she transfers; and

b

the academic year to which he or she transfers;

must not exceed the maximum amount of support determined to be payable to the student under regulation 72(1)(a).

Payment of support to eligible part-time students

105

1

Payments of the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs may be made in such manner as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate and they may make it a condition of entitlement to payment that the eligible part-time student must provide them with particulars of a bank or building society account in the United Kingdom into which payments may be made by electronic transfer.

2

Where the Welsh Ministers cannot make a final assessment on the basis of the information provided by the student, they may make a provisional assessment and payment of the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs.

3

The Welsh Ministers may pay the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs in instalments.

4

Subject to paragraph (5), the Welsh Ministers may pay the grant for books, travel and other expenditure and the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs at such times as they consider appropriate.

5

The Welsh Ministers must not pay the first instalment or, where it has been determined not to pay support in instalments, make any payment of the grant for books, travel and other expenditure or the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs under regulation 89 before they have received the declaration under regulation 102(2) to (6) unless an exception applies.

6

An exception applies if—

a

a grant for disabled part-time students' living costs under regulation 89 is payable in which case that particular grant may be paid before the Welsh Ministers have received a declaration;

b

the Welsh Ministers have determined that owing to exceptional circumstances it would be appropriate to make a payment without receiving a declaration.

106

1

Subject to the following paragraphs, the Welsh Ministers may pay part-time grants for dependants in such instalments (if any) and at such times as they consider appropriate.

2

An institution is required to send an attendance confirmation to the Welsh Ministers.

3

The Welsh Ministers must not pay the first instalment or, where it has been determined not to pay a part-time grant for dependants by instalments, make any payment of such a grant to an eligible part-time student before they have received an attendance confirmation unless the exception in paragraph (4) applies.

4

The exception applies if the Welsh Ministers have determined that owing to exceptional circumstances it would be appropriate to make a payment without receiving an attendance confirmation.

5

Where a final assessment cannot be made on the basis of the information provided by the student, the Welsh Ministers may make a provisional assessment and payment of part-time grants for dependants.

6

Payments of a part-time grant for dependants are to be made in such manner as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate and they may make it a condition of entitlement to payment that the eligible part-time student must provide them with particulars of a bank or building society account in the United Kingdom into which payments may be made by electronic transfer.

7

Subject to paragraph (8), no support by way of part-time grants for dependants is due in respect of any day of an academic year on which the eligible part-time student is a prisoner, unless in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers it would be appropriate in all the circumstances for support to be paid in respect of that day.

8

In deciding whether it would be appropriate for support to be due under paragraph (7) the circumstances to which the Welsh Ministers must have regard include the financial hardship which not paying the support would cause and whether not paying the support would affect the student’s ability to continue the course.

9

No support by way of part-time grants for dependants is due in respect of any payment period beginning after an eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility terminates.

10

Where an eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility terminates on or after the relevant date, the Welsh Ministers must determine—

a

the amount of each part-time grant for dependants for which the student qualifies that would be payable in respect of the relevant payment period if the eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility had not terminated (the “full amount”); and

b

how much of the full amount is due in respect of the period which runs from the first day of the relevant payment period up to and including the day on which the eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility terminated (the “partial amount”).

11

In this regulation, the “relevant date” (“y dyddiad perthnasol”) is the date on which the first term of the academic year in question actually begins.

12

If the Welsh Ministers have made a payment of a part-time grant for dependants in respect of the relevant payment period before the point in that period at which the eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility terminated and that payment exceeds the partial amount of that grant—

a

they may treat the excess as an overpayment of that grant; or

b

if they consider that it is appropriate to do so they may extend the student’s period of eligibility in respect of that part-time grant for dependants until the end of the relevant payment period and determine that the full amount of the grant is due in respect of that payment period.

13

If a payment of a part-time grant for dependants in respect of the relevant payment period is due to be made or is made after the eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility has terminated, the amount of that part-time grant for dependants due is the partial amount unless the Welsh Ministers consider it appropriate to extend the period of eligibility in respect of that grant until the end of the relevant payment period and to determine that the full amount of that grant is due in respect of that payment period.

14

No support by way of part-time grants for dependants is due in respect of a payment period during any part of which an eligible part-time student is absent from his or her course, unless in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers it would be appropriate in all the circumstances for support to be paid in respect of the period of absence.

15

In deciding whether it would be appropriate for support to be due under paragraph (14) the circumstances to which the Welsh Ministers must have regard include the reason for the student’s absence, the length of the absence and the financial hardship which not paying the support would cause.

16

An eligible part-time student is not to be considered absent from his or her course if he or she is unable to attend due to illness and his or her absence has not exceeded 60 days.

17

Where, after the Welsh Ministers have made any payment of support by way of a part-time grant for dependants, they make a determination of the amount of such a grant for which the student qualifies either for the first time or by way of a revision of a provisional or other determination of that amount–

a

if the determination increases the amount of that grant for which the student qualifies they must pay the additional amount in such instalments (if any) and at such times as they consider appropriate;

b

if the determination decreases the amount of that grant for which the student qualifies they must subtract the amount of the decrease from the amount of that grant which remains to be paid;

c

if the amount of the decrease is greater than the amount of that grant remaining to be paid the latter amount is reduced to nil and the balance subtracted from any other element of part-time grants for dependants for which the student qualifies in respect of the academic year;

d

any remaining overpayment is recoverable in accordance with regulation 108.

Payment of grants for fees107

1

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Welsh Ministers must pay the grant in respect of fees for which the student qualifies to the appropriate academic authority after a valid request for payment has been received.

2

The Welsh Ministers may make payments under paragraph (1) at such times and in such instalments as they see fit.

3

The Welsh Ministers may make provisional payments under paragraph (1) in such cases as they deem appropriate.

Overpayments108

1

Any overpayment of a grant in respect of fees is recoverable by the Welsh Ministers from the academic authority.

2

An eligible part-time student must, if so required by the Welsh Ministers, repay any amount paid to the student under this Part which for whatever reason exceeds the amount of grant to which he or she is entitled under this Part.

3

The Welsh Ministers must recover an overpayment of grant for books, travel and other expenditure, the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs and a part-time grant for dependants unless they consider that it is not appropriate to do so.

4

The methods of recovery are—

a

subtracting the overpayment from any kind of grant payable to the student from time to time pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

taking such other action for the recovery of an overpayment as is available to them.

5

A payment of the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs or a part-time grant for dependants made before the relevant date is an overpayment if the student withdraws from the course before the relevant date unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

6

The “relevant date” (“dyddiad perthnasol”) is the date on which the first term of the academic year in question actually begins.

7

In the circumstances in paragraph (8) or (9), there is an overpayment of the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

8

The circumstances are—

a

the Welsh Ministers apply all or part of the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs to the purchase of specialist equipment on behalf of the eligible part-time student;

b

the student’s period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

c

the equipment has not been delivered to the student before the student’s period of eligibility terminated.

9

The circumstances are—

a

the eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

b

a payment of the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs in respect of specialist equipment is made to the student after the eligible part-time student’s period of eligibility terminates.

10

Where there is an overpayment of the grant for disabled part-time students' living costs, the Welsh Ministers may accept the return of specialist equipment purchased with the grant by way of recovery of all or part of the overpayment if they consider it is appropriate to do so.

PART 13SUPPORT FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Eligible postgraduate students109

1

An eligible postgraduate student qualifies, subject to and in accordance with this Part, for a grant to assist with the additional expenditure which the Welsh Ministers are satisfied he or she is obliged to incur by reason of a disability to which he or she is subject in respect of his or her undertaking a designated postgraduate course.

2

A person is an eligible postgraduate student in connection with a designated postgraduate course if that person satisfies the conditions in paragraph (3) and is not excluded by paragraph (4).

3

The conditions are—

a

the Welsh Ministers, in assessing a person’s application for support, have determined in connection with the designated postgraduate course that the person falls within one of the categories set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1; and

b

the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that, by reason of a disability to which the person is subject, he or she will be obliged to incur additional expenditure in respect of his or her undertaking the course.

4

A person is not an eligible postgraduate student if—

a

there has been bestowed on him or her or paid to him or her in relation to his or her undertaking the course—

i

a healthcare bursary;

ii

any allowance under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2007;

iii

any allowance, bursary or award of similar description made by a Research Council;

iv

any allowance, bursary or award of similar description made by his or her institution which includes any payment for the purpose of meeting additional expenditure incurred by the student by reason of his or her disability; or

v

any allowance, bursary or award of similar description made by the General Social Care Council under section 67(4)(a) of the Care Standards Act 200087 which includes payment for meeting additional expenditure incurred by the student by reason of his or her disability; or

b

he or she is in breach of an obligation to repay any loan;

c

he or she has reached the age of 18 and has not ratified any agreement for a loan made with him or her when he or she was under the age of 18;

d

that person has, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support.

5

For the purposes of paragraphs (4)(b) and (4)(c), “loan” (“benthyciad”) means a loan made under the student loans legislation.

6

In a case where the agreement for a loan is subject to the law of Scotland, paragraph (4)(c) only applies if the agreement was made—

a

before the 25 September 1991; and

b

with the concurrence of the borrower’s curator or at a time when he or she had no curator.

7

An eligible postgraduate student does not qualify for a grant under this Part if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which he or she falls is paragraph 9.

8

An eligible postgraduate student does not qualify for a grant under this Part unless he or she is undertaking his or her course in the United Kingdom.

9

Despite paragraphs (3)(a) and (4), a person is an eligible postgraduate student for the purposes of this Part if he or she satisfies the conditions in paragraph (3)(b) and paragraph (10) or (11).

10

The conditions are—

a

the person qualified as an eligible postgraduate student in connection with an earlier academic year of the present designated postgraduate course pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the academic year of the present designated postgraduate course; and

c

the person’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has not terminated.

11

The conditions are—

a

the Welsh Ministers have previously determined that the person is an eligible postgraduate student in connection with a designated postgraduate course other than the present designated postgraduate course;

b

the student’s status as an eligible postgraduate student in connection with the course in sub-paragraph (a) has been transferred from that course to the present course as a result of one or more transfers in accordance with regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

c

the person was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the academic year of the course referred to in sub-paragraph (a); and

d

the person’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has not terminated.

12

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers have determined that, by virtue of being a refugee or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a refugee, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present postgraduate course or an application in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which his or her status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the present postgraduate course; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support starts, the refugee status of A or of his or her spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

13

Where—

a

the Welsh Ministers have determined that, by virtue of being a refugee or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a refugee, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the present postgraduate course or an application in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which his or her status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the present postgraduate course; and

b

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support, the period for which the person with leave to enter or remain is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which he or she is applying for support.

14

Paragraphs (12) and (13) do not apply where the student began the course in connection with which the Welsh Ministers determined that he or she was an eligible postgraduate student before 1 September 2007.

15

An eligible postgraduate student does not, at any one time, qualify for support for—

a

more than one designated postgraduate course;

b

a designated postgraduate course and a designated distance learning course;

c

a designated postgraduate course and a designated course;

d

a designated postgraduate course and a designated part-time course.

16

Where one of the events listed in paragraph (17) occurs in the course of an academic year—

a

a student may qualify for a grant under this Part in respect of that academic year in accordance with this Part; and

b

a grant of the kind available under this Part is not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

17

The events are—

a

the student’s course becomes a designated postgraduate course;

b

the student, his or her spouse, his or her civil partner or his or her parent is recognised as a refugee or becomes a person with leave to enter or remain;

c

the state of which the student is a national accedes to the European Community where the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three-year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course;

d

the student acquires the right of permanent residence;

e

the student becomes a child of a Turkish worker;

f

the student becomes a person described in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Part 2 of Schedule 1; or

g

the student becomes the child of a Swiss national.

Designated postgraduate courses110

1

A postgraduate course is designated for the purposes of section 22(1) of the Act and regulation 109 if—

a

it is a course entry for which a first degree (or equivalent qualification) or higher is normally required;

b

it is a course—

i

of at least one academic year’s duration; and

ii

in the case of a part-time course, it is ordinarily possible to complete the course in not more than twice the period ordinarily required to complete the full time equivalent;

c

it is wholly provided by a publicly-funded educational institution or institutions in the United Kingdom or is provided by such an institution or institutions in conjunction with an institution or institutions outside the United Kingdom; and

d

it is not a course for the initial training of teachers or a course taken as part of an employment based teacher training scheme.

2

For the purposes of paragraph (1)—

a

a course is provided by an institution if it provides the teaching and supervision which comprise the course, whether or not it has entered an agreement with the student to provide the course;

b

a university and any constituent college or institution in the nature of a college of a university is regarded as publicly funded if either the university or the constituent college or institution is publicly funded; and

c

an institution is not regarded as publicly funded by reason only that it receives public funds from the governing body of a higher education institution in accordance with section 65(3A) of the Further and Higher Education Act 199288.

3

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(ii)—

a

“full-time equivalent” (“cwrs amser-llawn cyfatebol”) means a full-time course leading to the same qualification as the course in question;

b

“period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent” (“cyfnod y mae ei angen fel arfer i gwblhau'r cwrs amser-llawn cyfatebol”) means the period that a standard full-time student would require to complete the full-time equivalent;

c

“standard full-time student” (“myfyriwr amser-llawn safonol”) means a student who is to be taken—

i

to have begun the full-time equivalent on the same date as the eligible part-time student began the course in question;

ii

not to have been excused any part of the full-time equivalent;

iii

not to have repeated any part of the full-time equivalent; and

iv

not to be absent from the full-time equivalent other than during vacations.

4

For the purposes of section 22 of the Act and regulation 109, the Welsh Ministers may designate courses of higher education which are not designated under paragraph (1).

Period of eligibility111

1

An eligible postgraduate student retains his or her status as an eligible postgraduate student until the status is terminated in accordance with this regulation and regulation 109.

2

The period for which an eligible postgraduate student retains the status is the “period of eligibility” (“cyfnod cymhwystra”).

3

Subject to the following paragraphs and regulation 109, the period of eligibility terminates at the end of the period ordinarily required for completion of the designated postgraduate course.

4

The period of eligibility terminates when the eligible postgraduate student—

a

withdraws from his or her designated postgraduate course in circumstances where the Welsh Ministers have not transferred or will not transfer his or her status as an eligible postgraduate student to another course under regulation 112; or

b

abandons or is expelled from his or her designated postgraduate course.

5

The Welsh Ministers may terminate the period of eligibility where the eligible postgraduate student has shown himself or herself by his or her conduct to be unfitted to receive support.

6

If the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible postgraduate student has failed to comply with any requirement to provide information under this Part or has provided information which is inaccurate in a material particular, the Welsh Ministers may take such of the following actions as they consider appropriate in the circumstances–

a

terminate the period of eligibility;

b

determine that the student no longer qualifies for a grant or any particular amount of grant;

c

treat any support paid to the student as an overpayment which may be recovered under regulation 117.

7

Where the period of eligibility terminates on or before the expiry of the period ordinarily required for the completion of the designated postgraduate course, the Welsh Ministers may, at any time, renew the period of eligibility for such periods as they determine.

Transfer of status112

1

Where an eligible postgraduate student transfers to another postgraduate course, the Welsh Ministers must transfer the student’s status as an eligible postgraduate student to that course where—

a

they receive a request from the eligible postgraduate student to do so;

b

they are satisfied that one or more of the grounds for transfer in paragraph (2) applies; and

c

the period of eligibility has not terminated.

2

The grounds for transfer are—

a

on the recommendation of the academic authority the eligible postgraduate student starts to undertake another designated postgraduate course at the institution; or

b

the eligible postgraduate student starts to undertake a designated postgraduate course at another institution.

3

Subject to paragraph (4), an eligible postgraduate student who transfers under paragraph (1) shall, for the remainder of the academic year in which he or she transfers, continue to receive in connection with the course to which he or she transfers the support for which the Welsh Ministers have determined he or she qualifies in respect of the course from which he or she transfers.

4

The Welsh Ministers may re-assess the support after the transfer.

5

An eligible student who transfers under paragraph (1) after the Welsh Ministers have determined his or her support in connection with the academic year of the course from which he or she is transferring but before he or she completes that year may not apply for another grant under this Part in connection with the academic year of the course to which he or she transfers.

Applications for support113

1

A person (the “applicant”) must apply for a grant under this Part in connection with each academic year of a designated postgraduate course by completing and submitting to the Welsh Ministers an application in such form and accompanied by such documentation as the Welsh Ministers may require.

2

The application must reach the Welsh Ministers as soon as is reasonably practicable.

3

The Welsh Ministers may take such steps and make such inquiries as they consider necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible postgraduate student, whether he or she qualifies for a grant and the amount of grant payable, if any.

4

The Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant—

a

whether he or she qualifies for a grant;

b

if he or she does qualify, the amount payable in respect of the academic year, if any; and

c

how that amount is allocated between the types of eligible expenditure.

Information114

Schedule 3 applies to the provision of information.

Amount of grant115

1

Subject to paragraph (2), the grant under this Part is such amount as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate to assist with one or more types of eligible expenditure.

2

The grant must not exceed £10,260 in respect of an academic year.

3

For the purposes of this Part, the “types of eligible expenditure” are—

a

expenditure on a non-medical helper;

b

expenditure on major items of specialist equipment; and

c

additional expenditure incurred—

i

within the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending the institution;

ii

within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending, as part of the course, any period of study at an overseas institution or for the purposes of attending the Institute.

Payment of grant116

1

The Welsh Ministers may pay a grant for which a student qualifies under this Part in such instalments (if any) and at such times as they consider appropriate and in the exercise of their functions under this Part they may make provisional payments pending the final calculation of the amount of grant for which the student qualifies.

2

Payments may be made in such manner as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate and they may make it a condition of entitlement to payment that the eligible postgraduate student must provide them with particulars of a bank or building society account in the United Kingdom into which payments may be made by electronic transfer.

Overpayments117

1

An eligible postgraduate student must, if so required by the Welsh Ministers, repay any amount paid to the student under this Part which for whatever reason exceeds the amount of grant to which he or she is entitled under this Part.

2

The Welsh Ministers must recover an overpayment of grant under this Part unless they consider it is not appropriate to do so.

3

The methods of recovery are—

a

subtracting the overpayment from any kind of grant payable to the student from time to time pursuant to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 22 of the Act;

b

taking such other action for the recovery of an overpayment as is available to them.

4

A payment of grant under this Part made before the relevant date is an overpayment if the student withdraws from the course before the relevant date unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

5

In this regulation, the “relevant date” (“dyddiad perthnasol”) is the date on which the first term of the academic year in question actually begins.

6

In the circumstances in paragraphs (7) and (8), there is an overpayment of grant under this Part unless the Welsh Ministers decide otherwise.

7

The circumstances are—

a

the Welsh Ministers apply all or part of the grant under this Part to the purchase of specialist equipment on behalf of the eligible postgraduate student;

b

the student’s period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

c

the equipment has not been delivered to the student before the student’s period of eligibility terminated.

8

The circumstances are—

a

the eligible postgraduate student’s period of eligibility terminates; and

b

a payment of grant under this Part in respect of specialist equipment is made to the student after the student’s period of eligibility terminated.

9

Where there is an overpayment of the grant under this Part, the Welsh Ministers may accept the return of specialist equipment purchased with the grant by way of recovery of all or part of the overpayment if they consider it is appropriate to do so.

PART 14AMENDMENT OF THE 2008 (No. 2) REGULATIONS

Amendment of the 2008 (No. 2) Regulations118

1

The 2008 (No. 2) Regulations are amended in accordance with the following paragraphs.

2

In regulation 6(4)(a), after “under” insert “regulation 8,”.

3

In regulation 6(9), for “subject to paragraph (6)” substitute “subject to paragraph (11)”.

4

In regulation 6(10), for “Paragraph (6) applies to” substitute “Paragraph (11) applies to”.

5

In regulation 6(13), for “subject to paragraph (9)” substitute “subject to paragraph (14)”.

6

In regulation 42(1)(b), for “regulation 23(3)(c)” substitute “regulation 23(3)(b)”.

7

In regulation 49(1)(i)(i), for “regulation 23(3)(a), (b) or (c) substitute “regulation 23(3)(a) or (b)”.

8

In regulation 82(5), for “regulation 96” substitute “regulation 97(6)”.

Jane HuttMinister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, one of the Welsh Ministers